Reviewed by Rob Birtley

Dan Minteer, from Walla Walla, Washington, USA, is rather unique in his musical style, here offering a diverse mix of blues and rock, electrified and acoustic, blending guitar-driven eclectic rock with bluesy bits, departing from traditional pop music norms. Classic rock, alternative and blues licks mixed together with celebratory and sometimes even weird lyrics, this is a strange release combining Space Oddity moments with excerpts from the Rocky Horror Show. You could say 'Calling All Aliens' is a concept album as some of the tracks are bound by the theme of an alien invasion but this is no Jeff Wayne's 'War Of The Worlds'. The album starts off with the blocked and fuzzy blues-based track "Welcome Home" which is no doubt meant to announce the start of the invasion. The track echoes sounds of the '60s and the Mick Ronson-like guitar only adds to the feeling that some of this was lifted from the Spiders Of Mars phase of Bowie. The track is pleasant and slightly engaging but has little substance. Next up is "Calling All Aliens", an even more Bowie-influenced track which is about the alien invaders "calling celestial buddies to come and party in the Earth's deserts and to taste the one-twenty proof human moonshine". . . whatever that may mean. It does contain a few nice acoustic guitar flourishes along the way. Later on the album there is "Ugly Woman" which is a tongue-in-cheek redneck country parody while "Jungle Zoo" is apparently about humans partying with the aliens and has a '70s Brit blues feel. You will have gathered by now this is a highly unusual record. It's well done and has a number of good moments. The alien space theme is confused to say the least. Sometimes musical ability alone doesn't make for an enjoyable listen.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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