Better Set Your Phasers to Stun
EP by
Hyperbubble
ReleasedJuly 1, 2009
Recorded2008 - 2009, Uncle Buzz Studio, San Antonio, TX, Murray Ramone's, Edinburgh, Scotland & Box, Glasgow
GenreSynthpop, electropop
Length14:44 (UK)
14:06 (US The Next Generation reissue)
LanguageEnglish
LabelBubblegum Records (UK)
Socket Sounds (US)
ProducerJess and Jeff DeCuir
Hyperbubble chronology
Christmas with The Bee Gees
(2008)		 Better Set Your Phasers to Stun
(2009)		 Rollerboogie Babydoll
(2009)

Better Set Your Phasers to Stun is a 2009 EP by the American synthpop/electropop group Hyperbubble. The recording was in collaboration with the Welsh band Helen Love.[1] The title tracks cover Love's 2000 song with the Star Trek reference. The cover art furnished images of the series' signature phaser weapon.

Release history

The album was released twice. It debuted as a CD and digital download on July 1, 2009.[2] The EP was the first release by U.K. label Bubblegum Records.[3] The issue included a sharply different variation of Hyperbubble's "U.F.O. Party Beach", produced on the earlier album Tribute to John Williams from Winter Records and retitled, "Beach Party U.F.O." Further remixes retitled as "U.F.O. Beach Party" debuted on Candy Apple Daydreams and Candy Apple Nightmares to slightly mixed reviews.[4][5]

The last track "Disgow Glasgow" included a live segment from a May 5, 2008 concert at the bar and club Box in Glasgow.[6] The song itself was recorded at a place owned by Murray Ramone of the Scottish punk band Shock and Awe in Edinburgh.[7][8]

The CD was reissued in 2014 under the Socket Sounds label as Better Set Your Phasers To Stun – The Next Generation. The album replaced the last two tracks with new mixes of the title song.[9]

The release consisted of a hand-numbered edition of one hundred copies, twenty-five of which were sold via Facebook.[9][10] The remainder were sold at a multi-band concert at The Lexington hosted by Helen Love that was recorded for their Live in London album.[9][1][11] It featured an "amusing" version "Better Set Your Phasers To Stun" by Hyperbubble.[1][12]

All versions of the title song on both releases included a vocal track furnished by Love of their 1995 single "We Love You", except the "Suspended Animation Ambient Mix." This track was described as "all but [dispensing] with the original tune and provides a pleasing atmospheric break [on the CD]."[13] It was included along with "Disgow Glasgow" in their 2017 compilation, Pretty Plastic.

Critical reception

The EP had a generally positive reception by critics, with Connexion Bizarre awarding it seven out of ten stars.[13] British publisher tasty fanzine concluded that the listener "will either love this or seriously hate it [as] it's right at the most synthetic and twee end of the synthetic tweepop stick."[14] The music was variously described as "infuriatingly catchy", "new wave/synthpop confection" and "retro fun and bouncy throwaway pop music."[3][13][15][16]

The last two tracks are stylistically different from the rest of the EP; one critic suggested that the differences made the songs "more universally enjoyable (albeit in a nonsensical manner)."[14] A detractor panned "Beach Party U.F.O." as "too sweet for most people," while the "slightly darker electro" "Disco Glasgow" was lauded for its danceability.[13][15]

Track listing

2009 UK release: Bubblegum Records BGUM01

All lyrics are written by Helen Love, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Guest musician(s)Length
1."Better Set Your Phasers to Stun (Single Mix)" Helen Love2:48
2."Better Set Your Phasers to Stun (Summertime Stadium Remix)" Helen Love3:14
3."Better Set Your Phasers to Stun (Suspended Animation Ambient Mix)"  1:44
4."Beach Party U.F.O."Hyperbubble 3:07
5."Disgow Glasgow"Hyperbubble 3:51

2014 US The Next Generation release: Socket Sounds UBR19

First three tracks same as on original album

No.TitleGuest musician(s)Length
4."Better Set Your Phasers To Stun (2014 London Disco Mix)"Helen Love3:35
5."Better Set Your Phasers To Stun (Thrash-Tastic Mix)"Helen Love2:45

Personnel

Musicians

Additional personnel

Production

  • Producers – Jess and Jeff DeCuir
  • Recordist for "Disgow Glasgow" – Peter Von Olum
  • Head Engineer – Jeff DeCuir
  • Design – Jeff DeCuir
  • Photography – Joe Wallace

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lai, Chi Ming (December 20, 2014). "HYPERBUBBLE Interview". The Electricity Club. Retrieved April 12, 2017
  2. ↑ Better Set Your Phasers to Stun (Featuring Helen Love) Hyperbubble on bandcamp bandcamp. Retrieved on October 18, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Wallace, Joe (June 1, 2009). "Introducing Bubblegum Records". Turntabling.net. Retrieved December 5, 2017
  4. ↑ Schurr, Maria (May 13, 2010). "Hyperbubble: Candy Apple Daydreams". PopMatters. Retrieved March 4, 2018
  5. ↑ Rouner, Jef (February 16, 2010). "Post-Valentine's Day Blues? San Antonio's Hyperbubble Will Cheer You Up". Houston Press. Retrieved March 4, 2018
  6. ↑ Hyperbubble live at BOX flyer Hyperbubble official site. Retrieved on October 16, 2017.
  7. ↑ Hyperbubble - Better Set Your Phasers To Stun Images Discogs. Retrieved on October 15, 2017.
  8. ↑ Ferguson, Andrew C. (November 22, 2016). "Yesterday's Kids at PJ Molloy's: or, Post Punk Suit Shopping with added Shock and Awe". andrewcferguson. Retrieved on October 15, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 Hyperbubble Featuring Helen Love – "Better Set Your Phasers To Stun – The Next Generation" Discogs. Retrieved on August 22, 2017.
  10. ↑ Hyperbubble Featuring Helen Love - Better Set Your Phasers To Stun - The Next Generation Images Discogs. Retrieved on October 15, 2017.
  11. ↑ Discography on Hyperbubble's website
  12. ↑ Mecca, Steve (April 24, 2016). "Hyperbubble: Live In London". Chain D.L.K. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Clemence, Nathan (September 2, 2009). "Hyperbubble – Better Set Your Phasers to Stun". Connexion Bizarre. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  14. 1 2 SB (July 2009). "Hyperbubble – Better Set Your Phasers to Stun (Bubblegum)". tasty fanzine. Retrieved December 4, 2017
  15. 1 2 Bartlett, Tom (2009). "Hyperbubble – Better Set Your Phasers to Stun review". INDIEMP3. Retrieved December 5, 2017
  16. ↑ Pustianaz, Maurizio (July 27, 2010). "A Different Drum news by Todd". Chain D.L.K. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
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