The Aquabats – Charge!!!

It’s been a long wait these past six years as The Aquabats‘ loyal fan base waited patiently for a new album. Some people even forgot all about them until their DVD of Serious Awesomeness was released in 2003 rekindled their love for the masked avengers. But still, they had to wait yet another two years for them to finally release a full length, and that full length is Charge!! Even though six years seems a little long to wait for a new CD, Aquabats fans will surely agree that Charge!! was worth the wait.

The band, which started off with 14 members with half playing horns, have slimmed down considerably since their inception and are now down to a regular five members. They still have that same kick, just not quite as heavy on the horns as they used to be. The songs, like before, feature The Aquabats signature sound that only they can successfully complete. A mixture of electronica with the keyboards along with some ska beats from the saxophone are lead by the enthusiastic EpiFat punk rock sound by Crash McLarson, Chainsaw and Ricky Fitness. Then of course, there’s the sarcastic, saturday morning cartoon humor from lead vocalist MC Bat Commander. This is what really makes the album stand out above all else, the complete lack of anything serious. They are a band that don’t try to be serious and fail miserably at it, they aren’t fake (well, other then their costumes and monikers that is), rather they are simply being themselves. It’s not forced, it’s not weak, and it’s not painful. It is fun and sincere, something that is missing in some of today’s punk rock bands.

Charge!! is just a fun, poppy pop-punk album that doesn’t get boring or repetitive. They are still immature and sing about crazy topics like plastic surgery, being stuck in a movie, having a meltdown, being nerds, and, of course, the necessary break up song (but with an ironic twist on it). Aquabats fans will be happy.