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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Music Reviews »

Permalink The Space Rangers "Ready To Take Off!"

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I've been listening to this album a LOT lately. It took me a long time to warm up to it, but I finally got there! I've had it for probably two years now, and I immediately thought the opening track "Mr. Lou" was genius, but then the album kinda petered out for me. For some reaon I kept coming back to it every few months or so, but it was always the same story, I'd lose interest several songs into it. Finally, several weeks ago I figured out the problem: I really don't much care for tracks 2-4, but the album becomes MUCH better after that! (IMHO, of course.) I got rid of those three songs (plus Kraftwerk's Das Model, which left me completely cold) on my iPod, and since then, I just love it! Before by the time the song 5 started I had basically tuned out - but thankfully not enough to not figure out the problem, even if it took me a while! Anyway....

This is really great stuff. Great playing, great songwriting, great sounds. I won't do a track-by-track, since I think the ten remaining tracks (meaning, minus the four I mentioned above) are all just fantastic. I'll just say this: this band sounds like I hope each Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited album will, only to be left disappointed time after time. These guys can really write some great melodies and have an amazing ear for arrangements, with that central-european flair for drama and dynamics. Great use of an occasional organ, too, and the lead guitar tone is really beautiful, big and bold.

So, I'll summarize: highly recommended! I'm so psyched to be seeing these guys at the convention!!!

(And I'm sure many of you do or will like the tracks that did not do it for me!)

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

Thanks Ivan! I need to pick this up before August!

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

just got a shipment of 20 of these that they sent me, for the sg101 convention.
man what a great cd,
I really love the infectious melodies, and unique rhythms goin on here.
Totally European sounding.
Love it.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Jeff, reserve one of those for me please.

Danny Snyder

Latest project - Now That's What I Call SURF
_
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I'm back playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

DannySnyder
Jeff, reserve one of those for me please.

Ditto, Jeff. I'd like to get one from you, too. Thanks!
Bob

Bob

I told them that the 20 cds had arrived ok,
and he said that 40 more are on their way.
should be plenty to go around for everyone.

Jeff(btd)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

listen to some of the tracks here:
http://www.myspace.com/thespacerangers

Jeff(bigtikidude)

I also heard that they have a new 45 out,
hopefully they will be shipping some of those over too.

I think as least one of those tracks is on the myspace.
and we play it on the upcoming (next mon.) radiofreebakersfield show,
plugging the SG101 convention.

Jeff(btd)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Cranked Ready to Take Off! again recently for the first time in awhile.
Wow...it actually got better with age!
This is an absolute must-have and a prime example of some of the genius of contemporary Euro surf.

Worship

Insect Surfers
The Tikiyaki Orchestra
The Scimitars
Lords Of Atlantis
Fiberglass Jungle - Surf Radio

Saw these guys several months back. They are from Germany. Fun show and nice tunes, picked up this CD as well. Highly recommended.

They've killed everywhere they've played. I got to see them at Instro Summit in Chapel Hill, NC this past year and it was awesome.

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

My most Played cd of 2010!
I love this band......the music and the guys

www.surfintheeye.com

Keep waiting to hear that they are working on a new cd.
A boy can dream can't he?

Jeff(bigtikidude)

I was just listening to this again after a long break, it is so good. Has the band broken up?

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Brian,
From what I recall, Muck the guitar player quit to
Join a "beat band". Not sure what happened to Joschen
The keyboard player.
Evil Dan on Bass and Falco on Drums stayed and-
They got A new guitar player LoeD
and became The West Somoa Surfer League.
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/20657/

1 or 2 of the new songs hint towards
The Space Rangers vibe.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Last edited: Mar 09, 2013 13:27:06

I got one of those CDs at a SG101 convention and everybody's got different taste but to me it is OUTSTANDING. Ausgezeichnet!

Bill Surfacabra

Bill Surf

Just want to put a word in for how much I freaking LOVE the song Mr. Lou! I come back to this song often... A LOT in fact, usually blasted pretty loud. Far and away one of my all time favorite surf cuts. It's got a great balance of everything that's great about surf music - a great catchy melody that trades off between being super fun (the main verse, the choppy rhythm guitar breaks) and at times even really pretty (those great arpegiated high chords). Plus, those syncopated ascending chords before the turnaround at the end of the verses - get me every time! Such a great effect! The world needs more songs like this one Yes

An odd coincidence - just tonight on KFJC I played Papermoon from this album. Maybe watching the film Reverb Junkies reminded me of how much I like the Space Rangers? I realized that I had never played this track before, never paid it much attention, but it's good...

Yes, R.I.P. Space Rangers, but welcome, West Samoa Surfer League. Falko and Daniel are joined by Torsten on guitar. They have recently released their first EP, Moments Of Truth. If you liked the Space Rangers or Surf Music in general, you will dig this CD.

Last edited: Mar 23, 2014 11:00:37

I too lament the passing of The Space Rangers. I still talk to Evil Dan and Falko via the internet. Jeff and I got one of West Samoa Surfer League CD'S and it is good to hear them still Playing Surf Music. One of my favorite albums of Surf Music of the last 5 years was "Ready to take Off"

Craig the Keg

Hodad makin' the scene with a six pack.

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