Search - Head Automatica :: Popaganda

Different Is Not Always Bad.

Andrew Estes | Maine | 06/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, it wasn't long, but Head Automatica have re-emerged with their second album, "Popaganda." For fans of the first album, "Decadence," there is a remarkable difference. A first listen impression would indicate that they have lost their funk, but look further. Head Automatica have simply expanded, creating an album that is complete and unique. There is less of a hip hop and dance vibe here, but rest assured, Daryl and the boys have delivered.



The album gets instant momentum going with the first single, "Graduation Day." Featuring unneccessary background vocals from Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, "Graduation Day" is a cliched but gorgeous summer anthem, kicking the album off with the right mood. As the album progresses, each song blends into the next, creating a cohesive listening experience. True, this album is pop-rock at it's core, but songs that step out of the norm like "Shot In The Back" "Egyptian Musk" and "Cannibal Girl" are the best of the album, and sound closer to "Decadence" than the rest of the material. Even still, straight-forward material like "Laughing At You" and "Lying Through Your Teeth" show that Daryl and company are good at adapting to virtually any style. However, the inclusion of "Beating Heart Baby," a song that the group are "beating" to death is kind of a cheeseball move. Sure, it's an alternate mix, but it's not much different, and they've been leeching onto this song for too long (especially with three (?) music videos for the song).



A lot of fans could easily criticize this album as "selling out," but come on. The title is "Popaganda." They aren't hiding anything here. Head Automatica obviously intended to make a great pop-rock album, a bit different than the first, and they succeeded. It's not a perfect album, but experimentation rarely is perfect. Hopefully when album number three comes around (hopefully we get a new Glassjaw disc before then), Head Automatica can combine the elements of not just this album, but their previous as well, into one big masterpiece."

Great Album

Jamie L. Hutchins | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great album! Worth the wait. Cant say there is one song on it that I do not like. Not sure if I would consider it better than their first album but it definately lives up to it.



Best track: Cannibal Girl"

Great album

sarah | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i've been a fan of head automatica ever since they put out their first album and i must say that this album exceeds any expectations i had for their sophomore effort. its just an overall amazing cd. the best songs on the cd are ones that they didnt prerelease on itunes like khorse and cannibal girl. go get the album!"