Album Review of
Unknown and Other Hits from Outer Space

Label: Self-Release

Genres: Rock

Styles: Surf

Written by Robert Silverstein
October 8, 2019 - 4:35pm EDT
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Anytime The Supertones release a new album is a cause for celebration, not only among long time fans in their hometown NYC, but also for all fans of the world-wide Surf-Rock instrumental genre that the band specializes in. With guitarist / composer Tim Sullivan at the helm once again, the 2019 CD release of Unknown And Other Hits From Outer Space features 15 newly recorded tracks of instrumental surf-rock gold. Recorded at Brooklyn’s famed Cowboy Technical Services studio, the album spotlights Tim Sullivan on lead guitars, Seth Lipscher (rhythm guitars), Simon Chardiet (bass guitars) and Tommy Mattioli (drums). With production chores by Simon and Tommy, the album sounds excellent and features a number of musical surprises, not the least being instrumental covers of two classics penned by the late great rock legend David Bowie. A cover of Bowie’s “Starman” classic from 1972, is given the Supertones treatment and it’s a real highlight of Unknown And Other Hits From Outer Space. Another outer space signature song by Bowie, in fact his first big international hit, “Space Oddity” is also given the Supertones touch and is another dazzling sounding highlight. Also here is a cover of the title track from the 1965 movie For A Few Dollars More, originally written by Ennio Morricone. A mix of several cover tracks and a fresh batch of Supertones originals fills out the album in style. Decked out in stunning day-glow cover art, Unknown And Other Hits From Outer Space is a Supertones-style blast from the best surf-rock instrumental band in the USA today.