With production help from Lou Giordano and King Missile's Chris Xefos, Hypnolovewheel makes its entertaining and slightly off-center way through indie rock fun, late-'80s style, on Space Mountain. This was the band's third record and the first to gain wide attention, and deservedly so -- while later releases were even better, Space Mountain makes the correct move of not mistaking humor as an excuse to be dumb. Drawing on a wiry (and indeed Wire-y) approach that translates the friendly-but-aggro approach of American new wave legends like the Embarrassment and Pylon, the quartet spikes the brew with everything from merry surf/thrash ("I Dream of Jeannie") to softly-sung (but not softly sung) paeans to the "Mysteries of the Unknown." Any number of songs barely crack the minute-long mark, drawing the comparisons to the likes of Wire and early R.E.M. even more strongly, but Hypnolovewheel never sounds too much like any particular group to cause irritation -- it's the band's own synthesis, one that works. Though it's not clear who actually sings in the band, whoever the lead guy is has a strong, warm voice with just enough nervous quaver in it to sound just cutting enough when needed -- check out the romantic angst of "Peat Rows," which pulls no punches in smart singalong fashion. "Bronze Bus" actually recalls a bit of David Byrne in the singing, but just a hint, the song itself something of an epic for the band -- over four minutes long! -- and featuring some great rave-up action as it goes, credit to guitarists Ramirez and Hunking both. Other great bits throughout the album: the quote of Van Halen's "Finish What You Started" followed up with a drawled "Van Hagar speaks for me!" and the great backing vocal work throughout from the rest of the band. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
Dave Ramirez (Guitar), Lou Giordano (Producer), Peter Walsh (Drums), Frank Wiedemann (Design), Michael Cudahy (Sitar), Dan Cuddy (Bass), Chris Xefos (Producer), Stephen Hunking (Guitar), Chris Xefos (Piano), Hypnolovewheel (Producer), Lou Giordano (Engineer), Macioce (Photography)
Space Mountain is the name of a space-themed indoor roller coaster attraction located at all five Magic Kingdom-style theme parks. Although the rides are very different in nature, all have a similar domed exterior façade that is a landmark for the respective park.
Professional wrestler Ric Flair has used "Space Mountain" as one of his many nicknames.
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