Additional personnel includes: Christian Langdon, Michael Stipe, Valerie Wilson (vocals); Michael Quingheenan (flute); Alaric Lewis (percussion, background vocals); Christopher L. Hicken (background vocals).

Personnel: Antony Langdon (vocals, guitar); Michael Stipe, Royston Langdon, Valerie Wilson (vocals); Richard Steel (guitar); Johnny Cragg (drums); Alanc Lewis (percussion, background vocals); Christopher L. Hicken (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Spacehog; Bryce Goggin.

Unknown Contributor Role: Carl Plaster.

"In the Meantime" was a huge hit, and Resident Alien went gold, but Spacehog's debut earned them no critical respect. At any other time, the group's glitzy revival of Bowie, Roxy and Mott the Hoople would have earned kudos, but it arrived at the height of Brit-pop, when other, more celebrated (and, frankly, better) bands were dominating the media spotlight. So, when it came time to deliver their second record, Spacehog knew they had to make a big splash, and The Chinese Album delivers on that promise. A faux song cycle layered with details and hooks, The Chinese Album is a big album conceptually, but the band doesn't quite have the gravity required to make it the sweeping achievement they desire. That hardly means that the album isn't enjoyable, however. Royston Langdon's mock-Bowie baritone is damn near irresistible, and when they have the right hooks and melodies, the result is a gaudy guilty pleasure. There are quite a few of those moments on The Chinese Album, but the band is occasionally derailed by underdeveloped hooks and ill-fitting humor (their foray into music-hall stumbles). Still, the record illustrates that Spacehog has fashioned their own identity out of their glam influences, and that makes the album an impressive effort, even if it lacks a knockout track like "In the Meantime." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Spacehog continues to wear its strong Bowie/T. Rex inspiration on its collective sleeve, once again juicing up the formula with plenty of highly original songwriting and production. THE CHINESE ALBUM finds the sound of their 1995 debut fleshed out, expanded with ambitious vocal overdubs and less gimmicky keyboard sounds, both of which add up to far more sophisticated arrangements and fuller atmosphere. Further credibility is added by guest artist Michael Stipe. Vocalist Royston Langdon has developed his already individual voice into a more serious, versatile instrument.

The vinyl crackles that open the album leave no doubts about the band's influences, though the retro feel goes way beyond Glam. On "One Of These Days," the detuned piano and Pink Floyd references (both sonic and titular) quickly give way to hefty portions of slick sound effects and dark, lush production. "Goodbye Violet Race" is distinctly Queen-like in its opening vocal harmony deluge and tight, crunchy arrangement and production. Perhaps "2nd Avenue (Isle Of Manhattan)" best sums up the Spacehog ethic--genuine, well-crafted songwriting, complete with way-over-the-top theatrics, tempered by lyrical whimsy and fueled by boundless energy.