Atom and His Package - Attention! Blah Blah Blah

Atom and His Package has once again released an album that makes me feel like a little kid. I mean that’s pretty much what he’s all about, right? His witty, story-driven tunes revolve around being immature, rightfully accompanied by his kiddy 80’s-ish synthesizer. It’s his juvenile appeal that attracts fans all over the world; Atom, a one-man band plus synthesizer, has played shows from Japan to Israel. His first album, Making Love, was a collection of songs about nutrition, the metric system, a neurotic crush on Enya, and space-rides. I guess the question that remains is, does the new album deliver the same goofy, childish sentiment that so many people admire? Sadly, Atom has matured a bit and the new album tends to be a little arrogant, a little too political and not quite as funny as his other two. In “Dear Atom, You Do Not Want Children. Love Atom,” Atom sings about changes on the inside, and switches on the outside. In the “For Aliza, Whenever She May Sleep” he admits to being 26 years old, and sings, “take a break, lay down, take a breath, way down.” It’s not like getting old is a bad thing, it’s just that I really admire his trivial fun loving attitude, of which is less present in the new album. Granted, there are songs that made me giggle, “It’s the moustache, it’s the moustache, put it on the T.V. screen, it’ll make you feel better,” and songs that made me smile, “I am down-right amazed, at what I can destroy with a hammer,” but they’re more hit-or-miss than his past records. If you’re a huge Atom and His Package fan, you won’t be disappointed. The drums and synths are as shameless as ever (in a good way that is), and the guitar is far more rocking. I have a ton of respect for this man, but the album feels very average. I was really hoping for a return guest appearance from Lobster Mobster, Atom’s hilarious fictional band from Making Love; perhaps next time. [www.atomandhispackage.com]