A "Vs. Monkey Kong"

Today I'm going to talk about an old (as in 1999) album. Because I can. So there.

Way back in the late 90s, I went to a couple Bloodhound Gang shows. The band was usually funny and entertaining, despite having lame (in a sort-of-good way) songs, so it wasn't that embarrassing. But I could always count on them to bring a few rad supporting bands with them -- I got to see Goldfinger, Rx Bandits, and a few others thanks to Bloodhound Gang tours. One of the lineups featured a band simply called A, a little-known (at the time) U.K. act that just stunned me. Pogo-moshing to their entire set, I felt like I knew their music, even though I had never heard it.

I excitedly happened across the band's debut, Vs. Monkey Kong, a while later in a record store and proceeded to play the shit out of it. And despite years of listening to A, I'm still not really sure how to describe their sound. While it takes a few cues from brisk, melodic punk rock, it feels "bigger" and more expansive -- I'm guessing that has something to do with all the electronic effects and prominent leanings toward crunchy, alternative rock and energetic power-pop. It's catchy and big, and sometimes awkward, but it's really quite distinct, melding a variety of influences and easily identifiable singing with the band's rocking and rolling foundation.

At 17 songs, there's a lot of material and, in all honesty, a bunch of songs that I don't feel bad for skipping. Still, Vs. Monkey Kong is one of those nostalgic records that I come back to now and again in hopes of remembering the excitement of "discovering" a seemingly unknown band that's downright awesome. At least I thought so at the time.

Oh yeah, one of the band's choruses goes like this: "The old folks are losers. They can't work computers." Can anyone dislike such blunt honesty?

A went on to release Hi-Fi Serious in 2002, but I don't even know if this band is around anymore. Oh well, it's not too late to give them a chance: A - Monkey Kong

My quick search for a purchase link for Monkey Kong took me to Amazon. Deal.