Customer Reviews

Acrophobe

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is great!

Superb musicians and even better song writers. These songs are lighter in sound than Joey's Lagwagon, but far superior in craftsmanship (except for maybe some of the stuff off of "Feelings" and some of the newer songs of "Leftovers"). For being such a "new" band it's hard to believe how interwoven the instruments are throughout these songs.

Don't expect the snare crashing 220 beat per minute songs of Lagwagon, but if you're into punk, rock, emo, or even metal (you metal heads will like the musicianship) you'll enjoy this album.

Bad Astronaut is a perfect rock band with a real fresh sound. Joey Cape has to have is hands full between Lagwagon, Me First and the Gimme Gimme's, running a record label, and touring; all this makes a man wonder where he gets time to not only make a record with another band, but to make a completely original rock'n'roll masterpiece. I wouldn't call Bad Astronaut punk, I'd call it a new form of progressive space rock with punk and emo influences. cool, very cool.

This is really some serious songwriting. The music is superb, Derrick Plourde really shines teaming up with his old LagWagon cohort Joey. But, while this is a 5 star album, it is NOT a "party/fun" ride. Most songs are very serious, and downright sad. But, its awesome songwriting, exceptional even.

And the answering machine clips are friggin hilarious.

This is a really, really, interesting album. It's definitely a music major's paradise. The chord progessions and changes are great. When I first heard this not quite 2 years ago, I was hooked. (I recall only months ago e-bay sellers had a tough time getting rid of this EP... Not anymore) This release will refresh you if you are bored with radio. Also, check out their more experimental/less Lagwagonish new album.

When I first heard about Joey and Derek getting back together for this little "experiment", I was overwhelmed to hear it. Now, between this and the new Propaghandi, I have no other Cd's in my life. If it gets better, e-mail and let me know.

I don't like punk very much, in fact, this is pretty much the only punk album I like. If you can even call it a punk album, that is. This is much more complex and serious than most punk bands could ever be. Now, what we have here is a mix of punk, emo, acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards, metal guitar solos, and metal and progressive rock influence. The result? A brilliant album. Unlike anything I've heard before. The songwriting is superb, and the keyboards add alot of good to this band. Awesome drumming and some cool guitar work as well. The singer has a great voice, perfect for this band. I feel like I could go on for a long time about this album, but I'll wrap it up now. Every song is fantastic. If you like the music I mentioned above and you have an open mind, check this out. Maybe it's not for everyone, but you just might like this. Also, their new album is out on the 15th, I can't wait to get it. Ok, I've definitely talked for too long now, cya!

like the title says, bad astronaut sounds basically like a slower lagwagon. they've got lagwagon's singer so its gonna sound pretty similar. but they've got a cello in it sometimes so you can see that this isn't fast punk rock. but still, it is a good new aspect to punk that any lagwagon fan would enjoy and if you like emo you'll like this.

I've been a fan of Lagwagon for years. Maybe this is sacrilege to say but I prefer Bad Astronaut to the older stuff. Its just more mature, more full-circle. This cd isn't for someone who expects a song to last 3 1/2 - 4 minutes and to have a verse/chord/verse/chord pattern. This is a completely thorough cd, every song is great. Its perfectly balanced - songs that really rock out like "Grey Suits" followed by songs like "Quiet" and "500 Miles" where Joey Cape's rings out hauntingly over the soft guitar. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Joey Cape and Lagwagon. The vocals are emotion-packed, the lyrics are top of the line. Joey Cape has become a real master musician over the years, he puts out solid. Its hard to put this music into a genre, its just hands down good music.

This album is perfect. Definatly one of my favorites. I don't think I've ever heard another band that is remotely close to sounding like this. And I would also like to point out to Mr. Hyatt, this is by a band called Bad Astronaut. NOT Lagwagon. They are actualy 2 different bands.

This album is hot. Seems as though Mr. Joey Cape took the long awaited opportunity to pump out a sound that had been boiling in his head. However "Acrophobe", the first BA album, sees Cape somewhat fail to leave his Lagwagon past. This is evident in the pop punk track "grey suits".

In saying this the album takes on new elements. Generally the songs have a more spaced out sound especially notable in the instrumental rock outs. Capes ever impressive lyrical genius continues to announce personal politics in particular his view towards the music world. The last song on the album "unlucky stuntman" perhaps best sums this up as he draws upon pressure from fans and critics "damn them and their eyes" as well as stating that his fear of 'getting big' - "I stare at the sun and quickly lose sight" reasons the name of the album "acrophobe" - meaning scared of heights in this instance the heights of the music world and all its implications.

The albums weakness hence not getting 5/5 is its lack of length (25 mins) and songs that drag down the excellence of the others namely, the cover "500 miles".

Nevertheless, Cape has shown his influence from a wide variety of music in this album from radiohead to bad religon to iron maiden to elliot smith unlike his punk rock peers giving a much needed new aspect to the punk rock genre.

This transitional album allowed Cape to let his emotions loose. The honest 10 tracks paved way for the near perfect second BA full length "housten we have a drinking problem".