The Aquabats

The Aquabats: Yo, Check Out This RideYo, Check Out This Ride (2004)
Ska and Reggae

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: KirbyPuckettKirbyPuckett
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 2nd 2004Aside from their phenomenal double disc DVD it's been nearly four years since the Aquabats laid a few tracks down on a compact disc for distribution. Finally the superhero squad opted to huddle in their 'Bat Cave to rip out a few quirky songs. The new material is only available for order online or.

Aside from their phenomenal double disc DVD it's been nearly four years since the Aquabats laid a few tracks down on a compact disc for distribution. Finally the superhero squad opted to huddle in their 'Bat Cave to rip out a few quirky songs. The new material is only available for order online or at shows, so while they're on their summer tour I suggest you grab a few friends and head out to catch the world's most fantastic live band.

Out of two new songs and three covers, here's what we have…

Kicking off the self-released EP is the title track "Yo, Check Out This Ride," an ode to MTV's "Pimp My Ride" as MC Bat Commander spills the flows about his 1991 Chevrolet Celica that's lowered in the back, "I dropped some deuce / with some juice / on the front of my CAT / and I aint braggin' / my back end's draggin'." Even though the Commander is riding in style the Aquabat-Mobile serves all car enthusiasts. An old western covered wagon complete with spinner rims, a hot tub, hydraulics, Louis Vuitton leather bonnet, and an X-Box to go with the HDTV. In true Aquabat's fashion this song is conveyed in the foolish zany style that they're renowned for.

"Todd-1 In Space Mountain Land!" is a quick keyboard lead ditty, with drums and electronic beats a crazy tale of being trapped in a sci-fi land (or it's just about some guy's jacket) is heard. The first cover song is "Zero Hour" which was originally performed by the classic British new-wave rockers The Plimsouls. Maintaining their steady new-wave fetish the band recreates "Zero Hour." The Aquabats do a fine job updating this tune to pop precision, capturing the popular chorus and giving the listener something to shake their booty to. Instead of contributing their ambiance to the Kink's "Big Sky' it's performed with the same soft rock appeal that made the original a success.

What makes a band like the Aquabats stand out so much is the constant dedication of their music to "the kids," by covering "Throw Away The Trash" by the Kids Of Widney High they truly display that act of devotion. If you're not familiar with the Kids Of Widney High they are a group of special ed children from a Los Angeles High School of the same name who create their own music for the people to enjoy. In recreating this one it stirs up a call to chant a long with kids "I wanna feel proud about my clean school / If someone throws trash "I pity the fool!!"

There's one word that should appear in every Aquabats review, fun. There's no need for me to pull out my thesaurus and find a few words to replace it and boast my ego. Musically this isn't the greatest work they've ever prepared, sadly there's not a trace of Ska to be found on "Yo, Check Out This Ride!" as heartbreaking as that is it's still a quality EP worthy of purchase. Because they make music to save the day and on this stormy afternoon in Pittsburgh they've done just that for me.

*note: According to the official track listing, number two should be "Zero Hour!" however that's number three on my CD and "Todd-1 In Space Mountain Land!" is second.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

tittytwisterbudy (January 5, 2007)

not the best thing the aquabats (who are one of my favorite bands) have done. this doesnt compare to any of their first four releases but "yo check out this ride," "throw away the trash," and the fact that the aquabats put it out make it a product worth buying. there are rumors that this band wont be around much longer and production of their stuff will halt or at least hiatus so get it as soon as you can along with their other releases

Anonymous (December 17, 2004)

The Aquabats- Yo, Check Out This Ride on EBAY at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4061548176

Anonymous (October 3, 2004)

I love this band. I love this cd. I love em live. Man, I love the Aquabats.

Anonymous (August 25, 2004)

just because a band isnt well known doesnt mean there not good i prefer lesser known bands that stay true to their style rather then follow trends and preform publicity stunts

Anonymous (July 11, 2004)

fuck the review, AQUABATS are amazing and will always be

BizzleBrizzle (July 6, 2004)

And the bat commander has the best moustache in rock n' roll too!

Anonymous (July 6, 2004)

ha. you think people dont know who they are? their news item has gotten like 80 comments. most bands only get like 15. the only reason your favorite band ( the north side kings) even got 40 or so posts, is because its really about danzig.

and cant sing? the bat commander has one of the greatest voices in rock and roll

- jones the bones

- aquabat enthusiast

Anonymous (July 5, 2004)

i don't even think they deserve a one..after what 4 cd's still no one knows who the aquabats are...there is a reason for that..it's that they can't sing!! the cd was geared for 5-7 year olds who find guys in wet suits riding horses funny..but sadly some older people listen to them too..for reasons unknown..and they have what 9 people in their band?? what do they all do? stand around and look retarded in their ridiculous outfits? please..this isn't music it's a circus

Anonymous (July 5, 2004)

Kirby Puckett is blind in one eye

Anonymous (July 5, 2004)

Worst review on the fucking planet. KirbyPuckett is such a fuckin fag

Anonymous (July 5, 2004)

i was making fun of what everyone was saying on the atreyu review

Anonymous (July 5, 2004)

if you call fashion super hero outfits

Anonymous (July 4, 2004)

total fashionxcowboyxsuperheroxcore i mean who puts a guy on a horse on their record. Oh man all the mall punks are going to be eating this shit up, god what a bunch of sellouts, they're just there for fashion and posing, they aren't making the music they really wanted to make.

Anonymous (July 4, 2004)

I like the A-Bats and so should you!

However I've never really dig their new sound. Each time I listen to a new album of them I somewhat hopes they'll get back to their Ska sound.

I guess the departure of Barker meant no ska anymore... Who knows?

Anonymous (July 3, 2004)

i think the kids of widney high should be on warped tour...

Anonymous (July 3, 2004)

i dont think theyre all mormon. at least not the current line up with rickey fitness. i dont think barker was either. maybe they have a rule that the drummer cant be mormon

- jones the bones

Anonymous (July 3, 2004)

They are freakin Mormon, how funny is that!?

Anonymous (July 3, 2004)

they dont strike me as the weed smoking type

Anonymous (July 3, 2004)

"Was anybody else at Grad Night at Disneyland back in '98? Boy was I surprised to find out the Aquabats were playing 3 sets on the Tomorrowland stage...I think I only went on 1 ride...The Aquabats are great."

I was there in '99 and saw Reel Big Fish 3 times..

and Britney Spears once.

sickboi (July 3, 2004)

These guys used to have good weed.

(Flood Zone, circa 97')

TahoeJeff (July 3, 2004)

Was anybody else at Grad Night at Disneyland back in '98? Boy was I surprised to find out the Aquabats were playing 3 sets on the Tomorrowland stage...I think I only went on 1 ride...The Aquabats are great.

8dollarclarinetsolo (July 3, 2004)

im so happy i got to see them a few weeks ago. if youever get the chance to, definetely go. but as for this ep, the title track is a really awesome song. but the rest is ok. worth the money just for the the first song though.

lostinthecrowd13 (July 3, 2004)

The Aquabats PUT ON THE BEST LIVE SHOW EVER. As for this E. I didn't like any of the songs besides from the title track. That gets 2 stars by itself.

fattony (July 3, 2004)

To the guy looking for Aquabats recommendations, buy The Fury of the Aquabats! Hands down their greatest album to date (and it honestly doesn't look like they'll be topping it anytime soon).

Anonymous (July 3, 2004)

Greatest Live Show ever.

Anonymous (July 2, 2004)

i just want to say "whoops" in regards to that last post. see atreyu curse 2 review

Anonymous (July 2, 2004)

why cant people just like whatever band they want anymore. just cause the really "hardcore" children dont think this is hardcore enough means that people still cant enjoy it?

Anonymous (July 2, 2004)

this shit is really good. just a little pricey for five songs.

to the guy below me, if you like the ska sound and lots of horns more, buy The Fury of... or maybe Return of... (Fury is better)

if you like the more keyboard horn combo devoish sound ...go for Floating eye

get them all

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- jones the bones

Anonymous (July 2, 2004)

I've heard songs by these guys and liked em, what cd's should I purchase by them?

Anonymous (July 2, 2004)

The Aquabats make me smile.