The Aquabats! Super Show was the first success of many attempts to bring the comedy rock/ska group to the small screen, thanks in part to Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz, creator of ‘Lab fave Yo Gabba Gabba. Reminiscent of Sid and Marty Krofft’s 70’s work and Japanese tokusatsu (Power Rangers, Kamen Rider, Robocon… We could go on), the Super Show! tells stories from the vivid Aquabats mythology with a mix of live action, animation, music, and faux advertisements. The music was primarily composed by the band themselves, but music supervisor Warren Fitzgerald (The Vandals, Oingo Boingo) also contributes. As this show is (supposedly) aimed at those under 12, the music is on the wackier side, but creative and thoughtful throughout - “We Got This” has fierce drum fills, uplifting gang vocals, and squelchy synthesizer bleeps, “Personal Property” is a 30 second hardcore mosher. The tracks are a bit extended from the televised versions, giving you more hilarious verses, shredding solos, and plain old weirdness. Skits and bits of dialogue introduce the tracks, giving a neat snapshot of the program thus far. This record is packaged in a gatefold sleeve and is pressed on silver vinyl.

• silver vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• limited edition
• music label: Gloopy Records 2019

reviewed by D.O.G.O.B.G.Y.N. 06/2019