issue #117 (Winter 2020)

The album is aptly titled indeed as these space-flavored instrumentals are delivered with great intensity featuring busy upfront guitar work dominating the soundstage throughout. Following in the footsteps of the racy title track the first five numbers are all uptempo pieces full of space/spooky fire and energy. Not that the sixth, “Ray Gun Ranger,” lacks passion or power as its irresistible mid-tempo bass pattern underpins some great moody space guitar sounds. It’s a real winner that comes across like a powered-up bastard son of “Out of Limits.” Yeah, it’s that good.

Another that stands out is the uptempo “Weightless Scramble” as its cleanly echoed guitar storms through a ’60s European-style racer. “Conundrum” is also more Euro influenced and both of these two come in at just under two minutes to leave you wanting more — but sensibly not giving it. “Space Trip” then takes us back on a, er, space trip with plenty of variation in guitar sounds delivering its “Flight of the Bumblebee-” style theme. Deeply echoed twang proudly leads “Victory in Space” before “The Challenge” winds things up with hints of “Star Wars” courtesy of Conrad’s processed guitars. Neatly presented in a glossy digipak.

(This album appears on the Editors’ top ten Playlist).

Here is another review, from Storm Surge of Reverb (StormSurgeOfReverb.com):

“To those accustomed to the standard loadout of surf hardware, The Insanitizers might sound a little insane. A lot of the effects that traditional surf groups might consider as novelty are happily employed by them, and perhaps more so on their new space-themed album than ever. I like hearing this band going full nutso — even if a sound has lost its initial impact, they get into occasional spots that make you think “what the hell was that?” And I think that’s a good thing. Importantly, this is not a psych/experimental album sneaking into the surf tent; underneath the swirling haze is either surf guitar or at least guitar instrumentals structured for surf and aiming for a surf ear with clear melodic drive.”

We are glad he enjoyed the melodies, underlying surf guitar approach, sense of humor, unusual textures and surprises.