Tonight the Stars Revolt!


Tonight the Stars Revolt! is the second major label studio album by American rock band Powerman 5000. It was released on July 20, 1999 by DreamWorks Records. Having sold over one million copies and achieving platinum status, this would become the group's most successful release and featured such hits as "Nobody's Real" and "When Worlds Collide."

Album information

Although it doesn't tell a specific story, the songs have a cohesive theme, primarily oriented around campy science fiction reminiscent of the 1950s, coupled with nihilistic, apocalyptic messages, and paranoid, cyberpunk imagery.
Music critics and fans alike compare PM5K frontman Spider's fixation on bygone science fiction with older brother Rob Zombie's obsession with B-movie horror themes. Both seem to share an affection for campy entertainment that influence their musical output, though Spider has since abandoned science fiction as the inspiration for Powerman 5000's sound and image. The CD booklet of Tonight the Stars Revolt! is also composed with science fiction imagery and text, similar to Zombie's horror-themed Hellbilly Deluxe, released the year prior.
Musically, the album bears similarity to Rob Zombie's industrial metal sound with catchy riffs and electronic elements. However, it also includes a cover of The Cars' "Good Times Roll" and "Watch the Sky for Me," a moody, lounge song with its entire melody taken from the track "One More Kiss, Dear" by Vangelis for the Blade Runner soundtrack.

Reception

The album won the Boston Music Awards for "Album Of The Year" in 2000, while "When Worlds Collide" was nominated for "Single Of The Year".

Media appearances

All lyrics by Spider One. All music by Powerman 5000.
Album – Billboard
YearChartPosition
1999Billboard 20029

Singles – Billboard
YearSingleChartPosition
1999"When Worlds Collide"Mainstream Rock Tracks16
1999"When Worlds Collide"Modern Rock Tracks18
2000"Nobody's Real"Mainstream Rock Tracks18
2000"Nobody's Real"Modern Rock Tracks23