Perry Farrell has quite a name to live up to. Most people will know him from his role as the frontman of the legendary Jane's Addiction. Others might know him from Porno For Pyros, the band he fronted before Jane's reformed in the early 2000s, who split up again in 2004. In 2005 it was time for something that was a little bit easier on the ears; and Satellite Party was born!

The group is basically a big project with Farrell in the center; Ultra Payloaded has guests like Flea and John Frusciante from the Red Hot Chilly Peppers, composer Harry Gregson Williams lends a hand, and even Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas shows up. That's not metal! But fear not, the mighty late Jim Morrisson is also present on one of the tracks. Musically, it's a nice meltingpot of indie-rock and some light disco and electronic influences, resulting into a record that sounds modern and timeless at the same time. Opening track 'Wish Upon a Dog Star' sets the tone for the rest of the record: Groovy, danceable but still refreshing.

Tunes like 'Hard Life Easy' (with Flea & Frusciante) have more musical integrity than most of the later RHCP material, and 'Kinky' has an almost Prodigy kind of vibe to it, thanks to the work of British table-turners Hybrid.

I can easily say that I really like this record. It's a far thing from rock or metal, but it is one of the best "pop music" records I've heard in a while. It's a great record for parties, and a great CD to listen to with a pair of headphones. Check their MySpace, it streams the whole album!