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Album Details

• Artist: Me, Three
• Album: The Space Race
• Label: Indie
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: iamparadox on 2010-06-28

Summer can sometimes bring back childhood memories. Maybe it's the pool, lemon-aid, fireworks, BBQ or just the long, lazy days and nights.  And back before we had bills and responsibilities, we used to pretend quite a bit. Remember when we used to actually use our imaginations for more than just dodging collection calls or excuses for being late?  Sometimes, pretending can still be good. Case in point: Me, Three.

We'll pretend in a few, here are the facts you need to know for now: Electric/folktronic artist Me, Three is really just one Alan Chesnutt, from Tuscaloosa.  Yeah, you read that right, a solo Electric/folktronic artist from Alabama. Come on, stranger things have happened.  Space Race is the newest release from the up and coming creative mastermind. His 3rd release, it 's a great sign of even greater things to come.  It's a trippy, spiraling, and spacey (you knew I had to use that word!) adventure into higher consciousness. Ok, maybe I've been smoking too much while listening. But seriously, the album is both soothing and spiritual, decadent and delightful at once.  It actually has 3 different psychedelic, grooving instrumentals that can pull you in like an undertow.

Think I'm being too dramatic?  Check out the bio: "Me, Three makes certain requests of his listeners—all to ensure that everyone gets the most out of The Space Race, which is, both literally and figuratively, out of this world. Comparing himself to a wizard whose music is his magic, creating tracks that flow from the epic to tragic, he asks that we close our eyes and listen closely to the sights and sounds so that we may create our own interpretations. The record is a more deeply developed and atmosphere-driven project than Chesnutt’s 2007 debut Becoming Overgrown." 

So enough bullshit, how do they sound?  You can hear influences from Ratatat to Crystal Castles, with some Neon Indian and Ghostland Observatory along for the ride. The opening two tracks, "The Space Race" and "Rebirth" are two of the best on the record. Both instrumentals, like "Pattern Break", are hyptontic, enchanting and mesmerizing.  "Better, Brighter" is the first song that we get to hear vocals.  They lyrics start out honestly with "If I had the chance I'd do it all over again".  Also this line: "Everyone would get what they need and all that they wanted. "  "In A Dream" is a very relaxing track.    "Digging A Hole" is a vulnerable, emotion driven rock song that you'll want to listen to more than once. "The Hours" has some good guitar work and is very easy to listen to.  Most of the recording is a pleasure to listen to, except for the bad singing on the last song , "Heart Magic."  If the album has a fault, the only downside is that it seems at times Alan can't decide if he simply wants to make instrumentals or write songs. It comes across as a bit inconsistent.

The Space Race is full of energy, inspiration and hope. It's a record that you will want to like, you won't have to pretend.  It's ambient beats, melodies and tempos make you both want to dance and dream.  I'm confidant (and hopeful) that this work is just one of the first steps of many for Me, Three.  Let's pretend this isn't just a one piece from a small town, but a magical and musical wizard casting his spell on us.

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