With the sad news that Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell is in the final days of his life due to liver failure, it only felt right to listen to their highly acclaimed 1999 album Astro Lounge this week. The lead single “All Star” has been a mainstay on any mix tape or playlist created by a millennial like myself over the past twenty years– this is one of those songs that has transcended genres to become a universal generational anthem with its inspirational lyrics about overcoming life’s daily challenges. As a teenager at the time I (along with many others) always felt fully seen when this song came on– it spoke to our self-doubts and told us with unwavering confidence that things were gonna be okay provided we just dusted ourselves off and got back on our feet. It’s pretty much the sonic equivalent of fake it til’ you make it. And that’s a wonderful message.
Outside of “All Star” Astro Lounge is an album that has a lot of tricks up its sleeves. While it isn’t officially a concept album, it effectively functions that way– between the album artwork, musical instrumentation, and lyrical content, Astro Lounge feels like a local band playing 60’s influenced rock and roll pop songs in a bar at a space station somewhere in the middle of the universe between worlds that you only stop at to refuel. Think of it like a 90’s alternative rock interpretation of David Bowie’s seminal 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and you’ll feel the vibe of it all.
Standout Songs: “All Star”, “Stoned”, “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby”
