OUT THERE SOMEWHERE

I'm surprised to be the first to review SHIP OF FOOLS second and final album "Out There Somewhere". Released in 1994 this has a beautiful album cover, very striking and in tune with the concept here of inner and outer space. This band out of the UK released their debut the year before in 1993 and included a flautist who left after that album but guests on track two. He was replaced by another guitarist making that two of them along with two keyboardists, drums and bass. Several guest too help out as well.

OZRIC TENTACLES seem to be an influence for sure but I like how they add these vocal samples and bits even some narration all reminding me of early PORCUPINE TREE and how Wilson would interject stuff like that during their psychedelic period. Highlights have to include the over 15 minute "From Time" with the narration talking about the "ships of fools" and what they were about. Very cool along with the contrasts of the powerful guitar/drum sections with the more spacier laid back passages. It will eventually trip along before ending in a spacey atmosphere with spoken words.

More talk about inner space on the closer but before that we get a spacey sound with space transmissions. Some inventive guitar later. There's a really good powerful section on the title track 6 1/2 minutes in with guitar out front. It's very spacey to end it. The opener "Elevator" is kind of cool and OZRICS like but I prefer the final three songs I just talked about. "Diesel Spaceship" though is really good, that second track with spoken words about hurtling through the cosmos.

"First Light" is well done with that long 2 1/2 minute spacey intro before kicking into a mid paced groove with organ then changing slightly with synths and ethnic sounds. Contrasts continue. Not bad. "Guidance Is Eternal" features space transmissions, spoken word samples lots of spacey sounds and a space groove all coming and going. And that guitar after 3 1/2 minutes needs a mention.

Easily a 4 star record with some cool ideas in play making this truly an album experience the way they connect these songs together.