It’s always great when an artist throws you a curveball, knocks your expectations out of the park, and does something different. Although this is only the second time I have encountered Zachary Mason, so this line of thought is not precisely based on the largest data sample. But if that first song I heard, “Madness Gladness,” was a chiming and charming slice of dreampop understament, the new one is something else altogether.
“The Funky Martians” has a clue to its nature right there in the title, and this is indeed a song built more on groove than grace. The titular funkiness is apparent right from the beginning, built as much from a staccato, retro-rock guitar as from John Thomasson’s buoyant bass and Nate Barnes’ backbeats, and then dressed in more sophisticated lead lines and synthy sonics.
This second track from the album 5…4…3…2…1… sees the landing of a colony ship on Mars—only to face its angry indigenous denizens. But a lucky mistake turns conflict into celebration, and a party ensues. Humorous, high-energy, and packed with sci-fi flair, it’s a dancefloor peace treaty worthy of Star Trek: The Musical. This is the story that H.G. Wells should have written, of rocking away on the red planet rather than scary tales of tripod-driving space invaders upsetting suburban Woking!
A large helping of psychedelic space sonics? A song built on upbeat energy and groove-rock inertia? The perfect blend of the fun and the funky, of wit and wonderment? Don’t mind if I do!
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