I like to take risks. My whole life is dictated by the unknown and I thrive on adventure. Of course, I’m lying. I’ve never been outside and now I never have to again. My favorite album of the year came out and there’s enough excitement packed into its fifteen songs that feed both my soul and my body. My brain isn’t being fed, it’s being harvested by the Prople and used to power their future vehicle which is a Lamborghini dune buggy made of skeletons.
The Prople’s album Revenge begins with “Grim Grinning Ghosts”, a cover of the jaunty music from the Haunted Mansion ride at Walt Disney World. It opens spookily, is very energetic, and is overall, a lovingly crafted ode to the best ride at the park. And that’s not the only song on this album about a ride at Disney! If that seems odd, you’re right. The people behind this music have many strange obsessions and very specific lyrics like “Broly is an Overrated Pussy” which-according to my research- is about a Dragonball Z character.
Another standout track is the insanely catchy “Don’t Breathe” about the 2016 film of the same name. But that’s not the only cinematic tribute on Revenge, the album is full of film-centric songs about Terminator 2: Judgment Day, American Psycho. Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Rogue One, and even the short film The Punisher: Dirty Laundry gets its own song! Is that too pop culture-y for you? Don’t worry, the title track is about cows. The accompanying Revenge comic book can explain everything (available right here).
Overall, Revenge is a loud and spastic album but as I listened to it the first time, something strange happened. I was innocently rocking out to “Uncle Bob” and my sleeve got caught on the Prople rollercoaster as it whizzed by me. I managed to climb into the front car but the safety bar wouldn’t come down. It was a good time but tinged with imminent danger. It was an exhilarating experience and I know I had a choice. I could either fight it and die or I could just leave the album on repeat forever. Let me tell you what I did.