Space Raft “Positively Space Raft” 2020/2017. Dusty Medical Records. Part of the Dusty Medical Records Library Archive/Lost Records series, limited edition (200 copies). Both Space Raft and DMR are based in our Milwaukee neighborhood so we got the extra-special bonus of a personal porch drop-off of this release this past weekend. Space Raft recorded the LP back in the fall of 2017 but for probably a variety of reasons, it’s just been released on vinyl (also available for download from their Bandcamp page). They also just had a successful Kickstarter for their own old-school NES game “Space Raft:The Game,” described as “a mix of obstacle based scrolling stages and early arcade top down action stages making use of many recognizable people and places from the Milwaukee music scene. Featuring the band’s jealous old bass player Srini as the villain of the game who has returned to Milwaukee from California to steal the master tapes of the new record. You’ll need to chase down Srini and eat all the sandwiches in order to retrieve the tapes and finally release Positively Space Raft to the public. Each of the 4 members of Space Raft are represented by unique sprites with unique actions and their own color palette to help build characterization.” Positively Space Raft is a really apt title: their music is sunnily upbeat power pop with hooks galore from guitarist/singer Jordan Davis, with a kick of bright swirling psychedelia courtesy of keyboardist TJ Christenson, and a steady 60′s/70′s pop-inspired rhythm section from bassist Jon Heibler and drummer Tyler Chicorel. The whole LP is excellent, but my top tracks are “Please Be Kind,” “It Used to Be Love,” “Transit Trash” and “Highlighter.”