Bad Astronaut
Acrophobe


4.0
excellent

Review

by Two-Headed Boy USER (86 Reviews)
July 18th, 2007 | 26 replies


Release Date: 2001 | Tracklist

Review Summary: While Acrophobe is only 31 minutes long, Bad Astronaut get more done than most pop-punk bands do in albums twice that long.

Had Bad Astronaut not been compiled of alt-rock/pop-punk veterans, then their debut album Acrophobe would no doubt be called one of pop-punk’s most mature debut albums. Hell, regardless of the experienced band members from the likes of Lagwagon, Nerf Herder and The Ataris, it would be easy to understand why their debut would be hailed as a landmark of the genre of pop punk, despite the band somewhat walked away from, or even grew out of, that title. But if one needs a reminder of why Bad Astronaut, most recently a more thoughtful alternative rock band, was one of the most promising pop punk bands of the new millennium, look no further than Acrophobe.

Influences galore collide on this album, and they all shine very brightly and are equally as effective. One of the most obvious influences is pop-punk, brought down from the Lagwagon/Ataris combination. Whether it’s an up-tempo, incredibly catchy pop-punk number, with the likes of the opener “Greg’s Estate”, the formulaic but very enjoyable “Grey Suits”, or in the unlikely form of a cover of Elliott Smith’s “Needle in the Hay” (which eschews Smith’s subtleties and replaces it with in-your-face ferocity and attitude, remaining different from the original but no less effective), Bad Astronaut know how to dance around what becomes suiting to the genre and what doesn’t, and remains spot-on every time. While pop-punk has become somewhat contrived over the decades, Bad Astronaut breathe a refreshing blast of genuine passion, rhythm, and cutting edge into the genre, something that this album should be praised for.

But when the band slows things down a bit, and casts aside the speed and ferocity (but not rhythm), this is where the band is most effective. While the 1:10 song “Quiet”, with nothing more than a piano and soft, swaying vocals, might seem hard to top in terms of effectiveness, there’s a particular stretch of four songs that showcase the band’s slower side excellently, almost flawlessly. From “Only Good for A…” to the finale “Unlucky Stuntman”, the band’s softer side is clearly dominant, and the results are all equally incredible. “Deformed” sounds like something that Jawbreaker would play around, with it’s incredibly poignant interlude, while “Logan’s Run” follows the same formula, with it’s beautiful instrumental interlude, but cranks the volume up on the other parts, resulting in a more epic and thoughtful approach. But it’s “Unlucky Stuntman”, a minor-key anthem that perfectly balances pop-punk fist-pumping, elegance, and epic progression. Easily the best song on the album, seeing as how it incorporates the band’s sounds perfectly into one grand song.

While Acrophobe is only 31 minutes long, the band get more done than most pop-punk bands do in albums twice that long. Remarkably catchy, thought-provoking, moving and just plain fun, Acrophobe would be seen as a high point for most bands of the same genre. But one wouldn’t expect, hearing this in 2001, that it would only get better from here. An absolutely phenomenal debut, despite being about half as long as anyone would like it to be. Fantastic.



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Comments:Add a Comment 
Willie
Moderator
July 18th 2007


20311 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Totally agree with the review and everything said... I love this album, and when I heard it, I never for a second thought that their second album could be 10 times better... but somehow it was...

Two-Headed Boy
July 18th 2007


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks man...Houston is definitely a classic album. I'm gonna try to start a review soon, but I don't know how that'll turn out, so no promises.

Aficionado
July 18th 2007


1027 Comments


Good review dude, not too long either. BTw are you going to pick up the new Matthew Good? I know your a Matthew Good freak.This Message Edited On 07.18.07

Two-Headed Boy
July 18th 2007


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

First day it comes out, and gonna review it too.

metallicaman8
July 18th 2007


4677 Comments


Excellent review, m'man. Not sure this album is ma thang, but your review definitely has me thinking of looking into it.

descendents1
July 18th 2007


702 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The review is great, and it does justice for the album. I think the most important point you raised is that the softer side of BA is dominant (may want to replace the word 'dominate' with 'dominant' in your review) on a large part of this release so fans of Lagwagon have less to look forward to in terms of sound than they may originally think.



Though this is short, I actually think it's kind of hard to listen to all at once. Houston just blows me away.



I'm kinda scared now because I was hoping to do another BA review but I'm in no hurry and I encourage you to take a stab.

tom79
July 18th 2007


3948 Comments


Good review. I like BA but I need some of their albums still.

Two-Headed Boy
July 18th 2007


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

actually, descendents, I think I'm gonna give it a shot. You're more than welcome to review it as well, as I'm not particularirly co



Thanks for all the feedback.This Message Edited On 07.19.07

Aficionado
July 19th 2007


1027 Comments


It's about time SOMEBODY here likes Matthew Good. I honestly think me and you are the only ones who like matthew good. Anyways, I think I'm going to download some songs from these guys after what you said about them.

StrizzMatik
October 25th 2008


4186 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great EP and stellar debut. Sad that the band dissolved after Twelve Steps but they'd never be Bad Astronaut without Derrick on the sticks.

Pheromone
March 22nd 2016


21634 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Can't tell if I love the Smith cover or if it irks me. Will probably take some time to get used to it.

Pheromone
March 22nd 2016


21634 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This is fantastic

Pheromone
April 15th 2016


21634 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I love my antidote to death



almost died twice today

LotusFlower
October 3rd 2016


12000 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

greatest band to ever exist.

FullOfSounds
October 3rd 2016


15821 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

good shit

Conmaniac
November 5th 2016


27704 Comments


woah that Needle in the Hay cover didnt expect that

Pheromone
November 10th 2018


21634 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah i fucking love the needle in the hay cover

Pheromone
December 10th 2018


21634 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This album hits all the feels

Pheromone
August 30th 2020


21634 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

best pop punk album ever rly

Pheromone
October 29th 2020


21634 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

in reply to me from 4 years ago, that needle in the hay cover is fucking awesome - adore it



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