There are some people, in this world, who are too crazy and too just plain odd to be let near trumpets. The Aquabats are one such band. Picture if you will full grown men running round in capes and masks, hailing to their leader as the ‘Bat Commander’ – pure genius. I’d like to think they were under the influence when they made this album. Unfortunately, for the sake of mankind, I fear not. Thus let us embark on the magical mystery journey that is, ‘The Fury of the Aquabats‘.
Opening for this wacky sideshow is ‘Super Rad!’ (the exclamation marks are recurring by the way), and from the beginning it becomes quite obvious the bat squad is a few berries short of a bat feast – ‘I’ve got a small friend, who has a fat friend, who has a big friend, who gave birth to many friends’ – anyway the whole tune bounces like a feel good intro for a crazy adventure akin to scooby doo and the mystery machine. ‘Red Sweater!’ opens in a kind of 50s style ‘bab-shoo-wab’ fashion, but quickly changes it’s jukebox tune to another sprightly ska influenced choon ‘your my girl, i’m your man, I don’t care if we live in a garbage can’; so infectious you’ll find yourself singing along in no time. You’ll sing along with it’s successor as well, though with a slightly nervous tone in your voice; ‘Magic chicken!’ is quite simply insane – I found the intermission in this song slightly annoying; still it makes for an interesting diversion, I suppose.
‘Fight Song’ is a Tarantino style action packed 1 minute 13 seconds, where you can jump around your room, imaginary gun/knife in hand attacking baddies and pretend you’re part of a gang. This precedes the scary ‘Cat with 2 Heads!’, which details a science experiment gone horribly wrong – funny, if a bit stale. Following this is the superb ‘The Story of Nothing!’, which from the outset is quality poppy ska with some absolutely incredible lyrics – ‘she can’t see me, but I can, I guess I am the invisible man’ – lyrics that made me laugh and I think a lot of people will relate to. It is the bats’ obvious need to be detained indefinitely which makes this album such a joy to listen to; this song is perhaps the best representation of that insanity.
Anyone who thought the Mad Caddies lead the pirate-core punk movement obviously hadn’t encountered the tale of ‘Captain Hampton and the Midget Pirates!’ – a splendid tale, with narrative story (yes, story) scattered throughout the song; once again, comic genius. Just as things couldn’t get any better, along comes ‘Martian Girl!’; admittedly this version isn’t as good as that on the recent fearless sampler; nonetheless retains the bats’ wackiness (is that even a word?). ‘Attacked by Snakes!’ adopts an Eastern mystical sound, and succeeds along with ‘Lobster Bucket!’ in being completely unique; much like most of the material on this CD. Both excellent songs, they’re complemented by the sprightly ‘Idiot Box!’ warning against the evils of watching each and every scooby doo episode. ‘My Skateboard!’, ‘Phantasma Del Mar!’ and ‘Theme Song!’ all round off what is a great album to listen to.
If there is a negative point, it’s that it has to be listened to in the right mood; I certainly couldn’t come home after a shitty day and sit back to this. Not all of the tracks are as strong as each other; after repeated listenings you’ll be sure to pick out some favourites though. Get some mates round, put some beer in the fridge, watch Bill & Ted and sit back with this CD. Super Rad Aquabats!
nick