Space Kitchen: “Space Kitchen” (2023) – EP Review

Summary

Deftly showcasing this musical duo’s ability to construct catchy tunes alongside more unconventional pieces, their self-titled debut EP Space Kitchen endeavors to engage both the worlds of indie melodic pop and innovative progressive rock, successfully actualizing their “garage prog” ethos with an engaging collection of tunes.

EP Info

Hot-Take Review

We are back with another Hot-Take Review for all y’all today, and honestly one that wasn’t on my radar whatsoever. Truth be told, until about 8:30 PM last night I had never heard of Space Kitchen. Neither the band nor their self-titled debut EP existed within my provincial sphere.

Enter: The Internet.

You know, the discovery of new music has never been easier in the entire history of… history, I suppose. As such, I was perusing the New Prog Releases thread over at the Hoffman forums when a user named Sventonio posted the EP’s cover, noting that they were a progressive rock outfit out of Cambridge, Ontario.

Whatever it was about that cover that caught my attention, I couldn’t tell you. Still, being always on the lookout for new music, I skidaddled over to Bandcamp, listened to a few tracks, and purchased the digital album right then and there. And zowie, did I enjoy it. But first, let’s find out a bit more about the band in yet another H3 segue we’d just love to call…

Who is Space Kitchen?

Since available online information remained scarce, I reached out to Space Kitchen on Instagram and they were happy to forward some band information.

The musical duo of Rob Howell and Robbie Carvalho form the nucleus of Space Kitchen, a self-described “garage prog” band. That ethos pervades throughout the EP, as a self-written, self-performed, and self-produced project. With that, they nonetheless endeavored to produce genre-defying music, blending progressive, pop, and psychedelia elements into a unique vision.

As such, following the release of Space Kitchen as their debut EP, the band plans to focus on individual songs as follow-ups every few months. Their goal is to release a constant flow of music to further develop their vision.

So now we know Space Kitchen!

And knowing is half the battle!

So at the get-go, I should point out a few things. First, Space Kitchen, as an EP, consists of seven tracks in total, around 27 minutes in length. The digital EP is priced accordingly and, I gotta say, worth every penny.

Second, for those who remember the Poptopia compilation albums that were released back in 1997 (I adored those CDs, wish I still had them) or are fans of the Power Pop genre, the first half of Space Kitchen will be right up your alley.

I mean, “The Arrival” feels like a slice of 70s bubblegum pop, with all the catchy hooks, sunny melodies, and two Beatlesque piano bridges. “I Love You Baby” is similarly infectious, a darker tune but excelling in its utilization of pop sensibilities, like a long lost tune from The Knack. And I love The Knack.

“Zoo Keeper” takes some cues from 90s indie pop, albeit with a very 80s sounding keyboard solo. It still has that inimitable melodic pop element, but “Zoo Keeper” starts to feel different, more expressive as it plays out. As it fades the keyboards grow louder and louder…

… which brings us to “Moving Picture”, in which the prog side of the band exits from stage left and moves toward center spotlight. This demarcates a shift into retro-prog territory, with a slower, keyboard driven piece that hints of multiple prog and new wave influences. While the pop sensibilities have taken a backseat, “Moving Picture” does not feel incongruous with the earlier material. But the shift does feel a bit abrupt.

“The Squig” is a 1:40 instrumental number with a bit of soul swing, evoking a bit of Genesis and Rush — both ’70s and ’80s versions — and it’s an enjoyable transition piece that delivers us to the doorstep of “Sun Tower”. A mélange of symphonic prog with its mellontron-ish keys, punchy basslines, jazzy drum fills, 6/4 time signatures, engaging vocal harmonies, and some delightfully over-the-top spoken word segments, “Sun Tower” is a highlight. It exemplifies the band’s prog/pop/psychedelia balance.

“Pain Goblin” closes the EP with an opening segment that recalls vintage ELO (speaking of that prog/pop balance), then moving into a bluesy instrumental break. The song verges into an odd, somewhat surreal ‘come to Miami’ sequence, and then into a 3/4 segment that invokes Wish You Were Here Floyd in its construction. A dominant piano line maintains the song’s momentum until a throbbing synth pulse overpowers the track, abruptly ending it. And with it, the EP.

Space Kitchen endeavors to engage both the worlds of DIY melodic pop and innovative progressive rock, successfully actualizing their ethos with a engaging collection of tunes. This EP deftly showcases their ability to construct catchy tunes alongside more unconventional pieces, making for an engaging debut from a band to keep an eye on moving forward. Admittedly, you could argue that the “sunny pop” might be more fully developed and integrated into the “darker prog” as a more cohesive collection of songs, but then this debut is an introductory EP rather than a fully-fleshed album.

So if pop and prog are two of your favorite wheelhouses, give this EP a look-see. Me, I’m looking forward to seeing what Space Kitchen cooks up next.

What similar albums does ChatGPT recommend?

While it behooves me to remind my readers that everything you just read is 100% Mills, let’s ask our friendly neighborhood AI for some similar album recommendations.

If you enjoy the blend of pop, progressive rock, and psychedelia found in “Space Kitchen,” here are five albums you might also appreciate:

1. The Dear Hunter – “Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise” (2015) This ambitious concept album by The Dear Hunter mixes progressive rock, pop, and theatrical elements, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The storytelling, intricate arrangements, and catchy melodies will appeal to “Space Kitchen” fans.
   
2. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) – “Out of the Blue” (1977) ELO’s double album masterfully combines pop sensibilities with progressive rock elements and is often considered one of their best works. The catchy tunes and innovative arrangements will appeal to fans of “Space Kitchen.”
   
3. XTC – “Skylarking” (1986) Produced by Todd Rundgren, “Skylarking” is a remarkable blend of pop, psychedelia, and art-rock. The album showcases the band’s knack for writing catchy melodies, inventive arrangements, and thought-provoking lyrics.
   
4. The Mars Volta – “Frances the Mute” (2005) The Mars Volta’s second album, “Frances the Mute,” features a unique blend of progressive rock, experimental, and Latin influences. The album’s complex compositions, captivating storytelling, and diverse sonic textures make it a compelling recommendation for “Space Kitchen” fans.
   
5. Steven Wilson – “The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)” (2013) Steven Wilson, the former frontman of Porcupine Tree, released this highly acclaimed solo album that masterfully blends progressive rock with pop and art-rock elements. With its rich melodies, complex arrangements, and emotive storytelling, this album is an excellent choice for fans of “Space Kitchen.”

These five albums each offer a unique blend of pop, progressive rock, and psychedelia, making them suitable recommendations for those who enjoy the music of “Space Kitchen.”

Output from ChatGPT, OpenAI to Mills, 19 April 2023.