Album Review: “Acid Dad” by Acid Dad

What may be most surprising about Acid Dad’s self-titled debut album is that it doesn’t come off as sounding like a psychedelic drug trip. On the contrary, Acid Dad offers a sobering take on the difficulties of transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood and the general political apathy of today’s youth. Acid Dad’s brand of garage-punk-psych-infusion is new and innovative without sounding too unfamiliar.  

Each track offers a different creative atmosphere that serves a particular purpose on the album. Some tracks, like “Mr. Major”, “2Ci” and “Marine”, offer undulating intervals, upbeat rhythm sections and energetic guitar riffs. Conversely, there are also slower, more ominous tracks, like “Child”, “Come Outside” and “Mistress”. These songs with heavier punk rock influence are compelling for their philosophically dynamic, anti-establishment lyrics.

Interestingly, more than one song on this album alludes to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 United States Presidential Election. Guitarist-vocalist Vaughn Hunt references his outrage at the alleged Russian encroachment through the lyrics on “Mr. Major”, singing, “We all lie. We all lie because Mother Russia doesn’t suffer”. Hunts’ lyrics on the track “Marine” have similar implications, “I will admit that I needed his help, But I could not serve his protection, now that he is gone and then I cannot seek him out, I won’t search any occupation”, he sings. 

Many of the tracks would fit in perfectly in a playlist that includes songs by Real Estate, Ty Segall, and Sonic Youth. If you already know of and like those artists, Acid Dad would make for a compelling addition to your music library. However, if you prefer to keep political insight and musical taste separate, this is probably not an album for you.

Despite how saturated contemporary mainstream music has become with political commentary, it is refreshing to see how the same thing can be accomplished with nuance and subtlety. Acid Dad has a purposeful message without coming across as though the band has a political axe to grind.