In what can only considered an extremely literal approach to songwriting, a group of artists assembled tracks for Record Store Day compilation record “The Space Project” by utilizing recordings from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 space probes. Using the sounds of space to make space rock.

Crazy.

Depending on your tastes, this kind of thing can either be a wet dream of glorious drones or unlistenable elevator music.

Keenly aware of their target audience, there was a special limited edition of the compilation released as a boxed set of seven 7″ singles with the a-side and b-side of each using tracks from a different planet.

Some of the artists involved really had a field day with the buzzing and whirring tracks they were given to work with. Jesu uses backwards noise over big drums to give “Song of Earth” a “My Bloody Valentine meets The Lion King” feel. Porcelain Raft’s “Giove” resembles waves of noise crashing into each other.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) it’s not all just white-noise… or black noise… or space noise… or whatever. There are actual songs contained on some of the tracks too. J. Spaceman of seminal space-rock/gospel/blues outfit Spiritualized contributes a track called “Always Forgetting With You” that is simply precious. Youth Lagoon’s contribution “Worms” is fairly straightforward but adequately strange.

There’s plenty of variation on the album, but it is able to exist as a cohesive work (if like myself you opted for the CD or 12″ vinyl). However, “The Space Project” is an acquired taste. If you’re looking for a classic space-rock record that’s a bit more accessible, early Spiritualized is the way to go.