Those high-flying superheroes from Aquabania are back. Indeed, the legend is true, THE AQUABATS! have returned with a new album called HI-FIVE SOUP!, released this week via Fearless Records. So what’s new from the ‘Bats? Well, they’ve added Auto-Tune to their sonic arsenal…
Other than that, there’s not much “new” to be had on HI-FIVE SOUP!, and this is one of those cases where that’s just fine.
THE AQUABATS have made a career on creating instantly identifiable songs that are quirky, fun, and allow a vast amount of audience participation when played live. Simplistic in nature, many of the ‘Bats songs tell a story, or drive home why something is good or bad. That said, it’s easy to see how The MC Bat Commander (aka Christian Jacobs) spun off to co-create the runaway children’s sensation, YO GABBA GABBA! If my own daughter is any indication, kids love THE AQUABATS! Being the first album from the band that my munchkin has heard, I will soon revisit the archives to play her some ‘Bats of old.
Songs like “The Shark Fighter!,” “The Legend is True!,” “Pink Pants!,” and “Food Fight on the Moon!” are classic ‘Bats, while “Radio Down!” features an appearance by rapper BIZ MARKIE, and the aforementioned auto-tune pops up on “BFF!”
HI-FIVE SOUP! doesn’t surpass THE AQUABATS!’ 2004 album MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND OTHER AMAZING ADVENTURES VOL. 2, as my favorite, but it’s still a tasty little treat. Above all, it’s nice sometimes to find an album that daddy and baby can rock along with together.
Rating: 4/5
