by Alex Henderson
Quirky and often highly clever, Space had one of the most appealing alternative rock releases of 1996 in Spiders -- which grossed some listeners out with a cover depicting tarantulas. This eccentric, risk-taking band (not to be confused with the late-'70s disco group Space) doesn't take itself too seriously, and brings an enjoyably twisted sense of humor to such goofy numbers as &Female of the Species& (an ode to a lover who practices witchcraft), &Mr. Psycho& and &Voodoo Roller.& Space's inspirations range from hip-hop to brooding East European folk, which is incorporated with inspired results on &Money& and &Lovechild of the Queen.& To be sure, the rockers can be overly self-indulgent, but like Frank Zappa and George Clinton, generally use their eccentricity advantageously.