Spiders

Mix it all together, though, and the band comes off sounding like a smarter version of Happy Mondays, with their dance grooves and rock guitars dominating the mix. Particularly on Murphy-penned tracks like "Major Pager" and "Lovechild of the Queen" (both lame attempts at political commentary), Space come across as dull throwbacks to the late '80s, with little to say and no clue how to say it.

But if ever an album (and a band) were saved on the strength of a few good singles, this is it. The British hits "Neighborhood," "Me & You vs. the World," and especially the first American single, "Female of the Species"--all Scott compositions--are so damn catchy and lively and clever and dynamic they almost create the impression that Spiders is a great album, when in fact it's only half great. Next time, please, less dull Murphy and more great Scott. --Roni Sarig