here's always been a place for "novelty" material in the catalog of science fiction-flavored music. One might say that the catalog in large part is full of little but throwaway novelty material, going back to "The Monster Mash" and even "The Beatles Flying Saucer," a bunch of snippets of Beatles tunes purporting to describe the landing of a spaceship. (This was in itself a ripoff of the 1956 Buchanan and Goodman record "The Flying Saucer"—an invasion skit cobbled together out of bits of popular songs, probably the first example of "sampling.")
Not that there is a serious moment on Songs From Mars. It's a goof from the first note. But The Dude From Mars, though he may be channeling Weird Al Yankovic (an acknowledged hero), has busted his little green butt to do this album. These are all original tunes, and if the lyrics don't always scan properly and are often very silly indeed, let there be no mistake—there ain't nothing wrong with the music behind them. The Dude, who wrote, performed and sang everything there is to hear here, can rock. The Dude even thoughtfully supplies an instrumental version of one of the tracks ("Planet Mars"), which makes it easier to hear his good production and accomplished playing.
The Dude (who is actually a 49-year-old Canadian Martian—which is as much of his identity as can be revealed here) was inspired to begin work on this album in 1997, when Sojourner landed on Mars. He completed the CD this past summer (2005), recording/producing the whole thing on a "cheap home-made computer."
He nails a foot-tapping rock beat right from the start, in "Message From Mars." There is no way that the song wouldn't get people up and dancing in a club, assuming that they weren't listening to the goofy lyrics. The Dude's main instrument is guitar, and he shows off his chops throughout, especially in a tasty guitar solo on display on track two, "Hot to Trot Little Martian Guy." He confesses, however, that bass is his favorite instrument to play, and indulges himself with a nice Chris Squire-type solo at the end of "Mars Robotica." He says, "Keyboards are a secondary instrument for me," but he's no slouch at them.
The Dude From Mars needs women
Like most aliens, the Dude retains an interest in Terran females. As he says in the opening tune, "If you insist on coming here, at least send along some girls / Send along some, send along some girls." Plus, he admits to having a crush on the Sojourner rover: "Her chrome dispelled the darkness like the Martian sun / I loved to hear her motors purr and run / And when the sun shone down upon her glistening solar cells / O how I swear I could hear wedding bells." It's enough to melt even the hardest Earthling heart!
The Beach Boys-flavored "Run Over by a Rover" boasts impressive dynamics and some very nice bass playing. Another kickin' guitar solo, sounding suspiciously as if the Dude has been listening to Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, is also on display.
Many of the songs have as their theme the idea that NASA keeps sending rovers and assorted "junk" to clutter up the Martian landscape. The Dude repeatedly refers to the "dorks" from Earth, or the "Nerdaholics Anonymous Space Administration."
What's most impressive is the songwriting (and singing) skill on display here, as well as the mastery of several rock styles. The Dude does a Chipmunks vocal number throughout, speeding up his voice, but the discerning listener can get past that to realize how good he is. Many of the songs have multipart harmonies, too. He's got a superb sense of timing, and interesting phrasing.
You'd think that a little goes a long way, and maybe it does, but The Dude is an experienced ex-rocker with serious chops. If he was a lousy player it would be simple to wave this off, but such is not the case. I daresay it might make a really good album of SF-flavored music for children. Try it on the rug rat in your life. And, Dude, don't take another eight years to deliver a sequel.
— Al
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