Big Star: In Space CD review (Harp)

Why would Alex Chilton and Jody Stephens risk their undisputed immortality by formalizing their occasional gigs with Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow with a new studio album under the Big Star moniker? I have no idea. There is absolutely no reason for In Space to exist as a Big Star album, as it’s doomed to fail under any comparison to their first three records; plus, if Chilton thinks he’s gonna get a hit in 2005 with snide pop tracks like “Love Revolution,” he’s more delusional than ever. Although the group tries valiantly to be true to Big Star’s sound and style, In Space winds up sounding like what Chilton’s brittle and bitter solo albums would have sounded like if there were someone in the control room constantly saying, “More harmonies … have some fun.” Though it’s tough to have anything but respect for these four players and the fine garage-pop record they’ve made, there’s simply no way that this album should be considered a 30-years-late follow-up to Sister Lovers.

First appeared in the November 2005 issue of Harp magazine.

Buy this CD at Amazon.com.