I really didn’t know what I was getting into when this came across my desk(top). I had heard of The Aquabats, as this was one of the bands Travis Barker of Blink-182 fame had drummed for before joining Blink in 1999. I had also heard that they had a fan base as to the likes of Reel Big Fish had, which after listening to some of their older albums, makes a little more sense since they sound kind of like RBF, except with a superhero motif complete with costumes and crazy names like “The MC Bat Commander”, and my personal favorite, “Ricky Fitness”.
So after 5 years, those crazy guys known as The Aquabats have released Hi-Five Soup!, after many delays due to record label issues and late promotion. However, if you are looking for old school Aquabats record, you’re going to be very disappointed. It seems the band has gone in a different direction and made an album directed towards kids. Yes, I admit I was a little shocked when I heard songs like with colorful titles such as “Poppin’ a Wheelie,” and who couldn’t forget “Food Fight on the Moon!” Sitting through this was a bit different for my tastes and didn’t feel like the typical “Punk album” you would be used to by today’s standards. As a matter of fact, I was hoping to get something from the likes of “Reel Big Fish,” and “Blink-182″ but instead got something that would be heard on “Yo Gabba Gabba.” Now that’s not a bad thing, as “YGG” has had an impressive list of bands that have been featured on the show (Of Montreal, The Shins and Weezer.)
Overall, this isn’t a bad little record and if you have kids, it’s definitely worth it- and is a better substitute than having to suffer through Raffi or some other crappy children’s singer that would probably turn your kid into a mindless zombie who gets picked on constantly in school and ends up having bed wetting problems because of the overdosage of Sharon, Lois and Bram’s Elephant Show (or any other crappy children’s entertainer that is popular now) in their life. However, if you’re a hardcore punk fan and are hoping for something like “Reel Big Fish,” you might want to pass on this as you will be greatly disappointed.
Track Listing:
1. “The Shark Fighter!”
2. “B.F.F.!”
3. “The Legend Is True!”
4. “Radio Down!” (Featuring Biz Markie)
5. “Poppin’ A Wheelie!”
6. “Hey Homies!”
7. “In My Dreams!”
8. “Just Can’t Lose!”
9. “All My Money!”
10. “Pink Pants!” (Featuring Strong Bad[3])
11. “Food Fight On The Moon!”
12. “Luck Dragon Lady!”
