Spiders

Quirky and often highly clever, Space had one of the most appealing alternative rock releases of 1996 in Spiders — which grossed some listeners out with a cover depicting tarantulas. This eccentric, risk-taking band (not to be confused with the late-'70s disco group Space) doesn't take itself too seriously, and brings an enjoyably twisted sense of humor to such goofy numbers as "Female of the Species" (an ode to a lover who practices witchcraft), "Mr. Psycho," and "Voodoo Roller." Space's inspirations range from hip-hop to brooding East European folk, which is incorporated with inspired results on "Money" and "Lovechild of the Queen." To be sure, the rockers can be overly self-indulgent, but like Frank Zappa and George Clinton, generally use their eccentricity advantageously.