The final piece of a puzzle that’s been building and laid out over several months, Alec Berlin’s cathartic and wildly elation inducing instrumental rock record “Space Punk and Other Junk” is an amalgamation of so much with a passion and verve that’s envious to say the least. With the latest building block finally seeing the light of day, that being the semi-titular “Space Punk”, Berlin has finally decided to bless us with another rollercoaster ride of rock and roll to immerse yourself within. The styles vary across the tracks, maintaining the core ethos of being an instrumental rock and roll record but deviating from one to the other in execution.
Space Punk is perhaps the most classically styled and arranged of the lot. The feverishly fun and jovial piece just exudes a sense of pureness in each strum and every moment of the solo. It’s a rock and roll tune that wouldn’t feel in the slightest out of place if it was made a while ago. Yet, like most of Berlin’s work thus far, it combines the tinge of contemporary swagger with the antique and prestige of what’s vintage and classical.
Other pieces like “Man’s Best Friend” have long been on rotation on many instrumental playlists of my own. There’s a certain gravitas that Alec Berlin brings to life on his arrangements, a level of weight and power that either the sheer dexterity behind the riff alone is able to exude or the heaviness of the totality of each soundscape evokes.
Rock enthusiasts delight because “Space Punk & Other Junk” is an electrifying rollercoaster you don’t want to miss out on.