 In Space was released on September 27 , 2005 on the Rykodisc label . Recorded during 2004 , the album consisted of new material mostly co @-@ written by Chilton , Stephens , Auer , and Stringfellow . Reviewing In Space , Rolling Stone 's David Fricke first pointed out that the context of the release was now " a world expecting that American Beatles ideal all over again " from a band that " achieved its power @-@ pop perfection when no one else was looking . " In Fricke 's estimation , this seemingly unrealistic expectation was met in part : " It 's here – in the jangly longing and ice @-@ wall harmonies of ' Lady Sweet ' " – however , Fricke found that the successful songs were interleaved with " the eccentric R & B and demo @-@ quality glam rock that have made Chilton 's solo records a mixed blessing , " and that " ' A Whole New Thing ' starts out like old T.Rex , then goes nowhere special . " Warming nevertheless to " the rough sunshine " of " Best Chance , " Fricke concluded , " In Space is no # 1 Record , but at its brightest , it is Big Star in every way . " 
