Space Apaches
Smokin’ Voyages
(Artists International Inc.)

Space Apaches from Ashville, NC sweep in with rocket entry on their opening “Entry” here that flows into Jim Arrendell’s held-back snare schunk and Aaron Price’s organ blare of “Sunrise.” What I like about these space travelers is how they change up styles through the whole 14 songs of Smokin’ Voyages. There’s a country rock stomp (Tom Petty comes to mind) on the commercial strut and guitar flange of “Empty,” an out-and-out rock and roll feel in the straight-ahead tune with very commercial choruses. There’s “I Am the Six O’Clock News” (with some good doubled vocal effect), guitarists Andrew Reed and Tom Leiner handling the rhythm and lead duties here perfectly, and then rock fusion with Arrendell and bassist Rob Geisler holding down the wackiness on the outta-space “Breakin’ the Ice.” Keys and guitars lead over the whole thing as the band just gets a work out. “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” is a sly groove, akin to “Six O’Clock News” in lyrical feel. The female backing vocals and wha wha lead here make this something special and we are into Joe Walsh-like territory with the fat funk distortion of the positive “A Song for the Rest of My Life.” “Love Should Come Easy” is a roiling rock blues number featuring big guitars and piano. Price’s ivory-ticking opens and leads the ender of a big re-imagining of “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” Launch yourself with the Space Apaches here and buckle in for a wild ride.