Geekscape Music Review: The Aquabats Hi-Five Soup!

The Aquabats! are just one of those bands you can’t hate. They always try to invoke happiness to their listeners, never take themselves too seriously (which everyone should do, but thats for a rant another day.) and they can be listened to by anyone. It’s been six years since their last album. A lot has went on during those years. Members leaving and returning. Being dropped from their label. Numerous talks about disbanding forever. Then at the end of 2010 they said they had a new album ready. Aquacadets and die hard fans jumped for joy! They were going to do a release of hard copies at shows and a full digital distribution from their website. 

Excited I go to their site the day of NOT to a new album but to a note. A note saying there will be no album…I’ll admit, I started to cry. All the hype of the greatest super hero band, MY favorite band releasing new content was for nothing. The note said, by the grace of God, the nice people at Fearless records wanted them BACK! YAY! Fearless did a great job helping the ‘bats. Doing a quick printing and a lot promotions for their new album. Few months later, on a recent trip to San Diego, I sat in a parking lot of a Best Buy in downtown ghettoville clutching my copy of Hi-Five Soup!

Let’s get to this review!

As a whole this album is another progression in their “sound”. This has got the biggest sound to it. The Yo Gabba Gabba! influences are very evident in this production, who the MC Bat Commander, created. Will it be everything this Aquacadet wishes?

1. The Shark Fighter!

What a great song to start this adventure on. I think of this particular song as a send off from the Charge! sound they had back in 2005. You can hear the grandness of this album, the big choir in the beginning. The lead singer, the MC Bat Commander sounds much different. The wackiness of a man who fights sharks to avenge a past girlfriend is classic ‘bats.

Best Line: I gots me a knife. A bandana and a topaz necklace. Yeah I’m extremely reckless! I ride an otter like a motorcycle! Yeah I’m Not kidding man!

2. B.F.F.!

The Yo Gabba Gabba! is really coming out here. Still another good message for ‘THE KIDS!”. Children in the choir this time. Nice mellow, almost reggae sound. Really puts a smile on your face. The comedic inclusion of auto-tune in here in a “city call out” verse is hilarious. Hanging with your Big Friends Forever is a great song.

Best Line: I got some gigantic friends. They are like family. I take ’em with me everywhere to put heat on my enemies.

3. The Legend Is True!

Great surfer beat. Really brings me back to “Fury of The Aquabats!”. The organ/synth in here that came about during the albumless years is perfect in this song. Great piece to “skank” to. If you LOVE old ska/punk…basically first two ‘bats albums, you’ll be playing air guitar to this solo in no time.

Best Line: So when I turned my head to cry. I had to dry my eye. I saw the tortoise from the sea swimming you back to me.

4. Radio Down featuring Biz Markie

This song was the title of their LP that was released by Fearless to help promote the ‘bats. This song should be listened to while laying in a Hammock drinking a tropical drink while wearing a Bob Marley shirt. Biz Markie is a great addition to this song, his voice fits perfect with the tune.

Best Line: We wrote some song, made a record. But we had no place to go so we got some old computer parts and built a radio.

5. Poppin’ A Wheelie!

What? Am I in elementary school again? WOW! I’m on my bike! Poppin’ a sick wheelie! This is the feeling you’ll get while listening to this song. Great song to follow the slower paced Radio Down. You can tell that The Aquabats! are still kids.

Best Line: Who likes poppin’ a wheelie? *crowd mumble* OKAY! Who LOVES poppin’ a wheelie? *CHEERING!* 

6. Hey Homies!

Not my favorite song on the disk. A song about thugs giving hugs. It’s rumored that this song is making fun of ICP and the Juggalos, but this hasnt been confirmed…I really really hope its true. There is a breakdown here about the different hugs you can give. I am guilty, as I’m sure a lot of you are, giving out “The Awkward Hug”

Best Line: H is for homeys Huggin home girls who is hot. U is for you my man Can I get a hug or not? G is for… Good… hug… guy? *frustrated grunt*

7. In My Dreams!

The new reggae sound makes a nice return. This diddy (gross, I’m never using that term again) reminds me of day dreaming in 4th grade math class pretending I was the 5th member of Star Fox’s team. Down to brass tacks this is a nice love song about dreaming of a girl, with nice humor sprinkled in.

Best Line: Why do the bad guys run and hide? Just because I never run out of bullets, in my dream.

8. Just Can’t Lose!

If you ever listened to any of the older Aquabats! songs the first riff will make you get up and dance. I think so far this is my favorite song on the whole album. It’s about a boy who has a tough life, but can never lose. He got fired, but from mowing his parents lawn. No matter what he does, YOUR sister thinks hes rad. I’ve never heard the MC Bat Commander sing that high before, it makes me believe these guys wont stop making great music any time soon.

Best Line: Yeah I broke my leg but, I guess thats just my style. It’s a victory because it made your mamma smile.

9. All My Money!

The intro of this song could be mistaken for a kids car ride CD. Not a great follow up to the banger that is “Just Can’t Lose”. Some great drumming from Ricky Fitness in this one, you can really hear him shine. Remember kids, don’t spend all your money in one place.

Best Line: I bought some tropical fish for my Japanese cat.

10. Pink Pants! featuring Strong Bad

I just picture a Muscle Beach guy wearing those pink workout pants that were so popular in the 90’s listening to this song. Strongbads slight humor in this one is great, really ties it together.

Best Line: Have you ever been outside of your own conversation? Not a lovely place for you mental stabliazation.

11. Food Fight On The Moon

The intro reminds me of MSI for some reason…I guess I’m just weird. I so wanted this song to be the ender of this album. So good. Bowie and Major Tom references in this song are something that keeps the “older” fans of the ‘bats around. I suggest you sing this at your next party, a little drunk, in unison with all your pals.

Best Line: No cleanup! The Food Just floats away!

12. Luck Dragon Lady!

Songs 12 and 11 should have swapped places. A nice mellow echo chorus, the type of music you’d hear in a coming of age movie trailer when the boy and the girl of his dreams are seen laying in bed. I think Falcor makes a cameo in this one.

Best Line: I’ll bring you luck, I’ll never give up. Don’t know the way but we’ll share the cup.

Final thoughts? I am as happy as a geek can be. My all time favorite band of super hero teenaged warriors came back in a big way. The gracious help from Fearless records (go support these guys) after they got dropped from Nitro saved them. They are getting great distribution, Best Buy and Hot Topic to name the bigger stores. I am so happy new fans will get to know the GREAT joy I have with these guys. Plenty of bangers and memorable quotes, lovely album. Are they going to be number one on the charts? No. Will they be number one in my heart? 

Always.