The Amino Acids
Destroy the Warming Sun! Bowl-o-phonic/Self-release A2P rating: 4.0 ... by Lisabeth Posthuma If hyperactivity were communicated in sound wave, the result would be The Amino Acids' sophomore release, Destroy the Warming Sun! Classified as both "surf punk" and "space rock" this follow up to 2002's Man…in the Universe? could share the same curious genetic code as a love child from Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh and an alien. A hip, punk alien. This album is a satirical, retrospective nod to 1960's B movies with UFOs floating via visible fishing wire. In fact, it sounds like the short one-liners woven through the intros were actually extracted from a cheesy, sock-hop, date movie: "Hey, doll. Is this guy boring you? Why don't you come and talk to me? I'm from another planet." The lameness of such hokey pick-up lines adds to the atmosphere of the music. It's funny because it's intentional and it's interesting because it's accompanied by good music. Through his mastering of the theremin (an instrument that is played without being touched that is very tricky to learn), "Ambassador" Chuck Bronson contributes all of the eerie, intergalactic sound effects with precision and drives the album from weird for the sake of weird to addicting. The first track, "Dunked in the Think Tank," serves as the preview of the intensity, instrumental arrangement, and flavor that permeates the entire album. "Like Sheep to the Moon" could serve as the theme song for a punk James Bond on speed. The track could be the soundtrack to any chase sequence, in any Hollywood spoof. The songs are similar, but the music is fascinating enough that you won't mind not noticing when one song ends and the other begins. And even though the entire album totals less than 25 minutes, it's worth your money. The target demographic won't have an attention span much longer— it's marketing genius on the part of the Amino Acids to release something absorbable, even if you skip your Adderall.— Lisabeth Posthuma |