CellarGhosts
07/23/08, 07:40 PM
Armchair Martian / Bad Astronaut - War of the Worlds Split EP
Record Label: Owned & Operated Records
Release Date: September 11, 2001
Who?
Bad Astronaut were the side-project of Joey Cape and Derrick Plourde of Lagwagon, which existed from 2000 until 2006, after Plourde took his own life a year earlier. Playing a unique brand of alternative rock, it was a noticeable departure from the short, fast punk songs Lagwagon are known for. They released two albums via Honest Don's Records and their final album, Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment, on Fat Wreck Chords.
Armchair Martin formed in the early 90's in Fort Collins, Colorado. Featuring Jon Snodgrass, who has gone on to form Drag The River, Armchair Martian are an alternative-country band whose influences range from Descendents to The Replacements to Uncle Tupelo. The band's last two releases are Good Guys, Bad Band, a compilation of rarities, and a re-issue of their Who Wants To Play Bass? EP.
How is it?
Fan-freakin'-tastic. The general theme of this split (like several others, such as the famous Rancid/NOFX split on BYO Records) is that the two bands cover one another's material, making for a unique and enthralling listen. The song selection here is great, opening with Armchair Martian's take on "Never A Dull Moment," from Bad Astronaut's Houston We Have a Drinking Problem LP. The split continues with Bad Astronaut running through "Crestfallen" and continues in this order.
The best tracks here Bad Astronaut's cover of "Jessica's Suicide," a haunting and somber selection that fits Joey Cape's pained vocals perfectly, while Armchair Martian perform a easy-going rendition of "You Deserve This," one of the strongest points of the aforementioned Houston We Have a Drinking Problem. What makes this split interesting more than anything is hearing some of the best material from each band's catalog done up in a whole new fashion. Snodgrass's gruff, country vocals suit the songs well while Cape's clear, ringing voice provides a new angle at the Armchair Martian songs.
All in all, this is a must-own for a fan of either band. Closing with a collaboration between the two bands on one track, "17 Years," War of the Worlds is a great, yet often overlooked moment in both Bad Astronaut's and Armchair Martian's respective careers.
01. Not a Dull Moment (Armchair Martian)
02. Crestfallen (Bad Astronaut)
03. Grey Suits (Armchair Martian)
04. Statler 2000 (Bad Astronaut)
05. You Deserve This (Armchair Martian)
06. Jessica's Suicide (Bad Astronaut)
07. 17 Years (Bad Astronaut & Armchair Martian)
Drag the River, Lagwagon, Lucero, The Playing Favorites
myspace.com/armchairmartian (http://www.myspace.com/armchairmartian)
myspace.com/badastronaut (http://www.myspace.com/badastronaut)
Record Label: Owned & Operated Records
Release Date: September 11, 2001
Who?
Bad Astronaut were the side-project of Joey Cape and Derrick Plourde of Lagwagon, which existed from 2000 until 2006, after Plourde took his own life a year earlier. Playing a unique brand of alternative rock, it was a noticeable departure from the short, fast punk songs Lagwagon are known for. They released two albums via Honest Don's Records and their final album, Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment, on Fat Wreck Chords.
Armchair Martin formed in the early 90's in Fort Collins, Colorado. Featuring Jon Snodgrass, who has gone on to form Drag The River, Armchair Martian are an alternative-country band whose influences range from Descendents to The Replacements to Uncle Tupelo. The band's last two releases are Good Guys, Bad Band, a compilation of rarities, and a re-issue of their Who Wants To Play Bass? EP.
How is it?
Fan-freakin'-tastic. The general theme of this split (like several others, such as the famous Rancid/NOFX split on BYO Records) is that the two bands cover one another's material, making for a unique and enthralling listen. The song selection here is great, opening with Armchair Martian's take on "Never A Dull Moment," from Bad Astronaut's Houston We Have a Drinking Problem LP. The split continues with Bad Astronaut running through "Crestfallen" and continues in this order.
The best tracks here Bad Astronaut's cover of "Jessica's Suicide," a haunting and somber selection that fits Joey Cape's pained vocals perfectly, while Armchair Martian perform a easy-going rendition of "You Deserve This," one of the strongest points of the aforementioned Houston We Have a Drinking Problem. What makes this split interesting more than anything is hearing some of the best material from each band's catalog done up in a whole new fashion. Snodgrass's gruff, country vocals suit the songs well while Cape's clear, ringing voice provides a new angle at the Armchair Martian songs.
All in all, this is a must-own for a fan of either band. Closing with a collaboration between the two bands on one track, "17 Years," War of the Worlds is a great, yet often overlooked moment in both Bad Astronaut's and Armchair Martian's respective careers.
01. Not a Dull Moment (Armchair Martian)
02. Crestfallen (Bad Astronaut)
03. Grey Suits (Armchair Martian)
04. Statler 2000 (Bad Astronaut)
05. You Deserve This (Armchair Martian)
06. Jessica's Suicide (Bad Astronaut)
07. 17 Years (Bad Astronaut & Armchair Martian)
Drag the River, Lagwagon, Lucero, The Playing Favorites
myspace.com/armchairmartian (http://www.myspace.com/armchairmartian)
myspace.com/badastronaut (http://www.myspace.com/badastronaut)