Album Review: Adventure Time with Patrick - Patrick Adams

Patrick Adams is an American author, musician and podcast host of "Kindie Rock Stars" a show that promotes exciting new artists in the world of family music. His latest album Adventure Time With Patrick harnesses a range of influences from seventies funk, to nineties shoegaze and everything in between. Despite the musical darkness on display, the lyrics remain sharply in focus, essentially elaborating on the overall theme of adventure, and the type of activities children love. Whether this involves trampolining, water sliding, or enjoying a roller coaster ride the album provides a compelling soundtrack for FUN activities.

The album kicks off with the energetic "Adventure Time"; a pulsating piece of upbeat kindie rock of considerable intensity, providing the listener with a taste of what is to come. The music reminded me a little of early Psychedelic Furs, with its uncompromising wall of sound. The dichotomy between the style of music and the lyrical content on display creates a kind of fascinating tension leaving the listener both engaged and bemused. Nonetheless, the lyrics describe a certain yearning for adventure, with an infectious optimism that saves the day.

"Kindie Music Show" continues this trip down memory lane with a sound slightly reminiscent of Lou Reed. Here the lyrics celebrate all the fun we get to experience at live shows, and all the wonderful artists we get to see along the way. The arrangement features a series of compressed verses almost Dylanesque in intensity. The lead vocal is sublime, and is further accompanied by a truly uplifting harmony adding additional melody.

"Go Kart Racer" is both haunting and dramatic; featuring barely audible vocals that rely on the atmospheric instrumentation to carry the day. The lyrics actually describe the race taking place as the contestants eagerly compete for first place. The song also features a superb guitar break which cuts through the track, adding considerable attitude to the overall sound. I have it on good authority that the song was inspired by the artist's sons love of Go Karts, something I for one can strongly relate to.

"Rock Wall Climber" describes an activity that some of the more adventurous families out there may have participated in. Here we are instructed to 'try not to drop until till you get to the top'. I'm sure the late Bon Scott would have agreed. The music features a hypnotic keyboard, competing and an occasional distorted guitar, where controlled chaos is the order of the day.

My favourite track on the album has to be the esoteric "Waterslide Ride" with its penetrating vocal, and interesting fusion of power chords and haunting harmonies. Despite the somewhat uncompromising sound the chorus is incredibly catchy, a real singalong, guaranteed to hit the target. The guitar sounds a bit like Brian May has been drafted in for good measure, as the music merges in a compelling cacophony of sound that pushes the boundaries of what one would expect from a family album. 

"Trampoline Queen" features a vocal delivery that sounds like something Stewart Copeland (unlike Sting) might have sung for the Police on the odd occasion.  The song also features some intricate drumming and a lively almost jazzy keyboard, jamming alongside a nimble guitar. The lyrics describe the happy memories a father experiences taking his daughters to a trampoline park where they have 'more fun than you've ever seen'.  

"Traveling Kid" is more percussive, with a lively bass dominating the sound, alongside a subtle but highly effective keyboard pattern. The guitar is clean and funky, capturing that seventies vibe that Chic were so famous for. The lyrics here are superb, with the artist reminiscing on his youthful self, and how much he loved to travel. The guitar work is also excellent, and the overall vibe reminded me a little of the Doobie Brothers at their best.

"Let's Go Camping" begins almost like a Queen song, before the arrival of a hypnotic bass that lends a slight rhythm and blues feel to the track. Although the swirling keyboard on display gives the song a slightly sci-fi feel, the harmonies really hit the spot, adding a slice of pop sensibility to the proceedings.  

"VR Superstar" refers to the arrival of virtual reality, a modern day activity that youngsters of today get to enjoy. The song features slap bass, and a jarring guitar which adds a kind of creative tension to the proceedings. The keyboard pads are quite dramatic and wrap the song in a kind of ambient indulgence, further enhanced by a seventies guitar, and an absorbing vocal melody. 

"Zip Line Superhero" is somewhat atmospheric featuring an ambient intro that pays homage to Brian Eno. The bass however is quite funky, with a distorted electric guitar and a minimalist keyboard filling the space. The lyrics describe a ride on a zip line, where the magical experience leaves us feeling 'just like Superman'. A fine way to finish the album, where an array of influences merge together in one compelling and somewhat dramatic conclusion.

Each song on this album offers a slightly different musical approach, and succeeds in drawing the listener in with ever increasing amazement. Whether it's the exotic"Roller Coaster King", the wonderfully weird "At the Game", or the more funky "Beach Bonanza", the artist has taken the listener down memory lane, where Queen meet the Psychedelic Furs and hire Phil Spector as a producer.  Compelling, thought-provoking even slightly anarchic, the album succeeds in piercing the darkness through a certain lyrical optimism and the type of pop sensibility that leaves the listener yearning for more. 

Patrick Adams - shoegazing for little feet.