Red Alert by Warp 11
01/02/2004 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: Reboot Music. Price: $14.99 (US). check out website: www.warp11.com
Oh dear, if you have a bad feeling against the idea of fan music the heading here may make your blood run cold already. So it's a few guys that really like Star Trek who decided to write a concept album.
For those of you who don't remember concept albums, it was a short-lived phenomenon which produced such striking work as 'War Of The Worlds' by Jeff Wayne and other things which shouldn't be brought up here. It all sounds fine in theory and I approached it with an open mind. Indeed in the spirit of fair play I have listened to it, a lot. Be grateful, please.
There are 16 tracks on this album with various titles including 'Don't Klingon Me'. For those of a curious nature all the lyrics are included in the cover notes. Also featured in the cover notes is a picture of Warp 11 in full Trek regalia. I admit I was put off by the picture of the enormous cleavage of the Yeoman on the front. Please don't all rush out and buy it now.
The lyrics are to put it mildly quite modern so that they rate a 'parental advisory' warning on the front cover. It is probably better to say what I did like at this point. My favourite is 'Space Happy' because it's fast and fun and so bland it could have been sung by Busted.
It might even make a single release being one of the few songs that doesn't have explicit lyrics - how did that happen? Other songs that are amusing include' Old Country Doctor (The Ballad Of Bones)', a country interpretation of how out of place the doctor felt in a place of red shirts and mini skirts. Needless to say that's not all it says and many lines I can't repeat here. It still falls within acceptable parameters.
The track 'Everything I Do, I Do With William Shatner' is just about acceptable with the occasional gross reference. It does mix its series up as it refers to 'make it so' in the chorus which I don't believe Captain Kirk ever said. Who said I was picky?
I didn't like the tracks that are explicitly anti-women and seem full of hate. The song 'Seven Of Mine' about the famous character played by Jeri Ryan is crude and offensive and if that's how they really feel I'm very sorry for them. It spoiled the CD for me because I then listened with heightened awareness to the sentiments of the remaining tracks. I also didn't like 'And That's Why I'm In A Star Trek Band' and that only had one offensive line in it.
The tracks are of variable quality musically though I'm no expert. 'Q' could have been left off and so could 'Replicate My Love'. Overall though, and excluding the above tracks, I found it musically fresh and mostly done in good spirit.
Apart from my strong reservations about the two tracks and that I really don't see the point of swearing on a record overall it was an interesting CD musically and if you are into Star Trek that is an added dimension.
If you are offended by bad language, avoid this but also avoid it if you are insulted by what appears to be an unhealthy attitude towards the role of women. What a shame because for the most part I like the rest. Mostly avoid this if you are not a fan of the series as you will feel left out.
These guys also show a far too intricate a knowledge of Star Trek and they should get out more.
Sue Davies |
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