Popaganda Explained

Popaganda
Type:studio
Artist:Head Automatica
Cover:Popganda.png
Alt:A man in a suit facing forwards with the band's name and the album's title covering his face, against a lime green background
Released:June 6, 2006
Recorded:October 2005 – January 2006
Studio:
Genre:Power pop
Length:46:03
Label:Warner Bros.
Producer:Howard Benson
Prev Title:Decadence
Prev Year:2004

Popaganda is the second studio album by American rock band Head Automatica, released on June 6, 2006 through Warner Bros. Records. While touring in support of their debut studio album Decadence (2004), frontman Daryl Palumbo's Crohn's disease saw the cancellation of some shows throughout 2004 and 2005. By the middle of 2005, they had accumulated 40 songs; between October 2005 and January 2006, the band recorded their next album with producer Howard Benson. Sessions were held at two studios in California: Bay 7 in Valley Village and Sparky Dark in Calabasas. Popaganda is a power pop album that Palumbo said was influenced by the work of the Beatles and Elvis Costello.

Popaganda received mixed reviews from critics, some of whom complimented the songwriting, while others criticized Palumbo's voice and the album's uninspired sound. Before the album was released, Head Automatica embarked on two tours of the United States, one with support from Morningwood and the other with support from My American Heart. The band then supported Avenged Sevenfold and Coheed and Cambria on their co-headlining US tour, and then appeared at the Coachella festival. "Graduation Day" was released to radio in June 2006, which coincided with a support slot for Taking Back Sunday and Angels & Airwaves. They then embarked on a US tour with Rock Kills Kid and Men, Women & Children, following which, "Lying Through Your Teeth" was released to radio in October 2006.

Background and production

Head Automatica released their debut studio album Decadence in August 2004.[1] The band promoted it with tours alongside Interpol, the Rapture and Thrice. As frontman Daryl Palumbo suffered from Crohn's disease, the band were forced to cancel a variety of shows throughout 2004 and 2005. By July 2005, the band had accumulated 40 songs, which they had been working on for the preceding seven months, with Palumbo theorising that their next album would arrive late in the year.[2] [3] Palumbo was due to support the Used on their headlining US tour for the next month with his other band Glassjaw but had to cancel because of Crohn's disease.[4] In October 2005, Head Automatica started recorded with producer Howard Benson; sessions continued into January 2006.[5] [6]

Benson had previously worked on two songs for Decadence; as Palumbo was liked Benson's tendencies for song arrangements and vocals, he decided to enlist him as producer for the whole album.[7] Recording was held at Bay 7 Studios, Valley Village, California and Sparky Dark Studio in Calabasas, California. In the midst of this, the band released to two covers, "Jackie Wilson Said" (1972) by Van Morrison and So It Goes" (1976) by Nick Lowe, to tide fans over until the album was finished.[8] Mike Plotnikoff acted as engineer, and mixed "Laughing at You", "Nowhere Fast", "God", "Shot in the Back (The Platypus)", "She's Not It", "Egyptian Musk", "Cannibal Girl", and "K Horse" at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California, with assistance from Ian Suddarth. Chris Lord-Alge mixed "Graduation Day", "Lying Through Your Teeth", "Scandalous", "Curious", and Million Dollar Decision", with assistant engineer Hatsukazu Inagaki.

Composition

Musically, the sound of Popaganda has been described as power pop.[9] Vocalist/guitarist Daryl Palumbo described the album as being "more musical" than anything he had done previously, calling it highly melodic. Taking influence from the Beatles, in addition to the Mod revival of the 1970s, he wanted "all the hooks to soar and all the songs to be as memorable and melodic as possible." Breaking down the album into sections, he described it as "one part the Knack, one part Cheap Trick, five parts Elvis Costello and the Attractions, one part Graham Parker, and tons of Nick Lowe melody lines" with "a modern take on those artists".[6] It marked a shift away from the dance and electronic influences of their past work.[10] Keyboardist Jessie Nelson said it was inspired by pop musicians such as Costello, Mike and the Mechanics and Steve Winwood, alongside duos Cassius and the Rondo Brothers.[11]

AllMusic reviewer Corey Apar said the band retained the "post-punk dance attitude", though its "filtered this time through late-'70s pop influences" instead of "back-alley beats and electro-rock fuzz" that their previous collaborate Dan the Automator favored. Two of the tracks, namely, "Nowhere Fast" and "Egyptian Musk", recalled the sound of Decadence. The staff at Ultimate Guitar called the guitar work "gritty and sharp" though they followed "plain structures" with three chords. Discussing the title, Palumbo explained it referred to the "writing zone I was in for this whole period in my life".[12] He had toyed with releasing a double album as the song count had risen to 50 tracks.

The album's opening track, "Graduation Day" starts with guitar and piano parts which build into a pop song, akin to the material on early Costello releases. The song includes Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance doing backing vocals, who had been friends with Palumbo for a few years. "Lying Through Your Teeth" is a hair metal song with glam rock-lite chorus sections. It sees the narrator finding out about their partner cheating on them. "Nowhere Fast" incorporates some of the abnormal melodies that Palumbo employed on Glassjaw's Worship and Tribute (2002). "Scandalous" is a neo-doo-wop song that Palumbo attributed to British Invasion acts covering doo-wop songs, and is followed by the straight-forward power pop song "Curious".[13] With "God", discussing having to deal with his Crohn's disease. The guitar-heavy "Million Dollar Decision" is a mid-tempo track. The electronic "Egyptian Musk" song evokes the sound of Death from Above, and has a 1980s club atmosphere.[14] A Lord-Alge remix of "Beating Heart Baby", a song from their debut, was included as a bonus track; Palumbo explained that this was the "final mix" of the track which had been left unreleased.[15]

Release

After finishing up recording, the group went on a tour of the US from late January to late February 2006.[6] [16] They were supported by Morningwood.[16] On January 23, 2006, the album's title of Popaganda was revealed.[17] On March 3, 2006, "Graduation Day" was made available for streaming through their Myspace profile.[18] The band appeared at the South by Southwest music conference later that same month, and embarked on a tour of the US, running into April 2006, with My American Heart.[12] [19] [20] On March 28, "Laughing at You" was made available for streaming, and the album's track listing was revealed. On April 4, a digital-only EP was released, titled Pop Rocks, it features the previously-released "Graduation Day" and "Laughing at You", as well as new songs "Nowhere Fast" and "God".[21] In April, the band supported Avenged Sevenfold and Coheed and Cambria on their co-headlining tour of the US, but were unable to appear at some of the shows due to Palumbo's illness.[22] [23] On April 7, the album's artwork was revealed, and "Lying Through Your Teeth" was made available for streaming.[24] "Nowhere Fast" was made available for streaming five days later.[25] Following this, the band performed at Coachella.[10] On May 3, a music video was released for "Graduation Day".[26] It was based on 1980s John Hughes films and directed by Tony Petrossian.[27] It was shot at the Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California.[28] On May 24, "Scandalous" was posted on the band's Myspace profile.[29]

Popaganda was made available for streaming through their Myspace on June 2, 2006, and released four days later through Warner Bros. Records.[30] [31] A Lord-Alge mix of "Beating Heart Baby", a song from Decadence, was included a bonus track. In June and July, the band went on tour with Taking Back Sunday and Angels & Airwaves.[32] "Graduation Day" was released to radio on June 20, 2006.[33] From August 2006, the group went on a US tour with Rock Kills Kid and Men, Women & Children, and appeared at the X96 Big Ass Show.[34] [35] Though the trek was intended to last until October 2006, the band cancelled the September and October dates.[36] On August 25, a music video was released for "Lying Through Your Teeth" premiered through Alternative Press website.[37] "Lying Through Your Teeth" was released to radio on October 17, 2006.[33] The following day, it was announced that drummer Larry Gorman was no longer in the band.[38] Alternative Press reported that he had been kicked out, with Gorman explaining that it was mostly in part to "the fact that the relationship between Daryl and I has slowly been deteriorating over the last couple of years."[39] In October and November, the band went on the MTV$2 Bill Tour alongside Thirty Seconds to Mars.[40] During this trek, they appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly.[41] In February 2007, the band supported Jack's Mannequin on their tour of the US.[42]

Reception

Popaganda was met with mixed reviews from music critics. AllMusic reviewer Corey Apar said the band's change of sound "never seems forced or contrived". He mentioned that during the middle portion "some songs don't initially hit that hard, but the rest of the record keeps things moving along for later listens". Jeff Vrabel of Billboard noted that the album wears its big aspirations on its sequined sleeve", stating that it "drags in its second half and [while] Palumbo’s voice is certainly an acquired taste, his hooks hit more than they miss".[43] Melodic staff writer Kaj Roth considered it an improvement over Decadence, saying that fans of that album would "find lots of future fave songs" on Popaganda. The staff at Ultimate Guitar praised the album for is variety of musical styles, saying it "appeared sounding organic with perky tracks and infectious melodies".

Punknews.org founder Aubin Paul said Palumbo "owes even more to Costello than just his voice", highlight "Graduation Day" as an example. He went to say that Head Automatica " hasn't fully committed to their new sound or discovered what it is -- with far too many borrowed moments" from Costello and his new wave contemporaries. Alternative Press writer J. Bennett said the "most refreshing thing" about the album was that Head Automatica "aren’t a pop band pretending a punk band, [...] or even an emo band pretending to be grown men--but that they’ll do whatever it takes to get Summer naked on the Bait Shop floor".[44] The staff at Chart Attack lambasted it, stating that "between Palumbo's annoyingly affected vocals and the album's scarcity of catchy hooks, most of Popaganda feels thin, flat and desperately fun-free".[45]

Popaganda reached and peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200, and number 87 on the UK Albums Chart. By September 2006, the album sold 50,000 copies.[46]

Track listing

All songs written by Daryl Palumbo.

  1. "Graduation Day" – 3:42
  2. "Laughing at You" – 2:45
  3. "Lying Through Your Teeth" – 3:29
  4. "Nowhere Fast" – 3:00
  5. "Scandalous" – 4:10
  6. "Curious" – 2:43
  7. "God" – 3:01
  8. "Shot in the Back (The Platypus)" – 3:43
  9. "Million Dollar Decision" – 4:04
  10. "She's Not It" – 3:29
  11. "Egyptian Musk" – 3:53
  12. "Cannibal Girl" – 3:10
  13. "K Horse" – 4:48

Bonus track

  2. "Beating Heart Baby" (Chris Lord-Alge mix) – 3:26

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[47] Head Automatica

Additional musicians

Production and design

Charts

Chart performance for Popaganda
Chart (2006)Peak
position
UK Albums Chart (OCC)[48] 87
US Billboard 200[49] 69

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Decadence - Head Automatica. AllMusic. Loftus, Johnny. July 11, 2022. December 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211211042243/https://www.allmusic.com/album/decadence-mw0000634307. live.
  2. Web site: Daryl Palumbo talks Glassjaw, Head Automatica and grindcore side project United Nations. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. July 22, 2005. July 11, 2022. November 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104220901/https://www.punknews.org/article/13238/daryl-palumbo-talks-glassjaw-head-automatica-and-grindcore-side-project-united-nations. live.
  3. Web site: Head Automatica. https://web.archive.org/web/20060626122552/http://decoymusic.com/index.php?content=interviews&interviewid=1538. DecoyMusic. Burden, Truman. July 16, 2005. June 26, 2006. July 11, 2022.
  4. Web site: The Used: Tour Line Up Changes. Ultimate Guitar. UG Team. August 10, 2005. November 12, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171113104225/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/the_used_tour_line_up_changes.html. November 13, 2017.
  5. Web site: Head Automatica to record new full length with Howard Benson. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. October 21, 2005. July 11, 2022. November 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120220854/https://www.punknews.org/article/14173/head-automatica-to-record-new-full-length-with-howard-benson. live.
  6. Web site: Head Automatica recording new album with Howard Benson. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816131303/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_314. Alternative Press. January 6, 2006. August 16, 2016. June 26, 2016.
  7. Web site: Head Automatica. Smash Magazine. Naegle, Travis. July 11, 2022. May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517140315/http://www.smashmagazine.com/oldsite/is16_headauto.html. live.
  8. Web site: New covers, studio updates from Head Automatica. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. November 28, 2005. July 11, 2022. November 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122164819/https://www.punknews.org/article/14643/new-covers-studio-updates-from-head-automatica. live.
  9. Web site: New Releases 6/6/06: AFI, Ice Cube, Head Automatica, DJ Khaled, Oakenfold, Holly Brook, Live, Hush Sound & More. MTV. Orzeck, Kurt. June 5, 2006. July 11, 2022. May 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516220336/https://www.mtv.com/news/1533657/new-releases-6606-afi-ice-cube-head-automatica-dj-khaled-oakenfold-holly-brook-live-hush-sound-more/. dead.
  10. Head Automatica Packs a Pop Punch. Rolling Stone. Orloff, Brian. July 27, 2006. July 11, 2022. April 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411141316/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/head-automatica-packs-a-pop-punch-85330/. live.
  11. Web site: A Muso's Top 10: Head Automatica. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711071949/https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/playlists/a-musos-top-10-head-automatica. The Skinny. Kerr, Dave. 15 June 2006. 11 July 2022. 14 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Head Automatica - 03.31.06. https://archive.today/20061206185404/http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=125362. AbsolutePunk. Herbel, Brandon. March 31, 2006. December 6, 2006. August 1, 2016. live.
  13. Web site: Head Automatica Automatic for the Papas. https://web.archive.org/web/20070404012946/http://chordmagazine.com/issue/junejuly_06/cover.shtm. Chord Magazine. Sciarretto, Amy. June–July 2006. April 4, 2007. July 11, 2022.
  14. Web site: Head Automatica. Spin. June 8, 2006. July 11, 2022. January 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210108222400/https://www.spin.com/2006/06/head-automatica/. live.
  15. Web site: Interviews/Daryl Palumbo of Head Automatica 04/05/06. https://web.archive.org/web/20060614212902/http://www.concerthype.com/dpalumboiview.html. Concert Hype. Nicole. April 5, 2006. June 14, 2006. April 8, 2023.
  16. Web site: Head Automatica announce Jan/Feb tour with Morningwood. Alternative Press. December 21, 2005. June 25, 2016. August 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816050932/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_275. live.
  17. Web site: Daryl Palumbo Spreads Head Automatica Popaganda. MTV. Harris, Chris. January 23, 2006. July 11, 2022. May 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509203334/https://www.mtv.com/news/1521412/daryl-palumbo-spreads-head-automatica-popaganda/. dead.
  18. Web site: Head Automatica posts first track from 'Popaganda'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. March 3, 2006. January 22, 2022. January 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220122173133/https://www.punknews.org/article/16062/head-automatica-posts-first-track-from-popaganda. live.
  19. Web site: SXSW announces Lifetime show benefitting Shirts for a Cure. Punknews.org. August, Justin. January 21, 2006. November 23, 2021. November 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211123191647/https://www.punknews.org/article/15336/sxsw-announces-lifetime-show-benefitting-shirts-for-a-cure. live.
  20. Web site: Head Automatica posts singles, plans tour. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. March 14, 2006. January 22, 2022. January 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220122193854/https://www.punknews.org/article/16275/head-automatica-posts-singles-plans-tour. live.
  21. Web site: New audio, tracklisting, dates from Head Automatica. Alternative Press. March 28, 2006. July 19, 2016. August 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821144136/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_577. live.
  22. Web site: Head Automatica, Eighteen Visions to open A7X/Coheed tour. Alternative Press. February 15, 2006. June 29, 2016. August 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160818060238/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_463. live.
  23. Web site: For The Record: Quick News On Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Yellowcard, Ashley Parker Angel, Diddy, Alicia Keys & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730123028/https://www.mtv.com/news/ct884o/for-the-record-quick-news-on-michael-jackson-jennifer-lopez-yellowcard-ashley-parker-angel-diddy-alicia-keys-more. MTV. April 18, 2006. July 30, 2022. July 30, 2022.
  24. Web site: Head Automatica post new song, cover art. Alternative Press. April 7, 2006. July 27, 2016. August 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821174327/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_628. live.
  25. Web site: Another new Head Automatica song posted. Alternative Press. April 12, 2006. July 27, 2016. August 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821151132/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_647. live.
  26. Web site: Head Automatica release "Graduation Day" video. Alternative Press. May 3, 2006. July 28, 2016. August 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821164048/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_733. live.
  27. Billboard Bits: Field Mob, Taj Mahal, Head Automatica. Billboard. Jeckell, Barry A.. May 23, 2006. July 30, 2022. July 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730112030/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-bits-field-mob-taj-mahal-head-automatica-58337/. live.
  28. Web site: For The Record: Quick News On Kanye West, Hawthorne Heights, Fred Durst, Korn, Dilated Peoples, Jermaine Dupri & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730122329/https://www.mtv.com/news/dmwl2l/for-the-record-quick-news-on-kanye-west-hawthorne-heights-fred-durst-korn-dilated-peoples-jermaine-dupri-more. MTV. April 12, 2006. July 30, 2022. July 30, 2022.
  29. Web site: More new music from Head Automatica. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. May 24, 2006. January 24, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124163546/https://www.punknews.org/article/17721/more-new-music-from-head-automatica. live.
  30. Web site: Stream Head Automatica's 'Popaganda'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. June 2, 2006. January 24, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124192625/https://www.punknews.org/article/17889/media-stream-head-automaticas-popaganda. live.
  31. Web site: Head Automatica post first track from Popaganda. Alternative Press. March 3, 2006. July 19, 2016. August 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821172752/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_528. live.
  32. Web site: Taking Back Sunday, Angels & Airwaves Announce Tour Dates. MTV. Montgomery, James. April 21, 2006. July 12, 2016. August 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160809045639/http://www.mtv.com/news/1529307/taking-back-sunday-angels-airwaves-announce-tour-dates/. dead.
  33. Web site: FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock. FMQB. October 31, 2016. March 22, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130322142732/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771. live.
  34. Web site: Head Automatica / Rock Kills Kid / Men, Women and Children. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. July 27, 2006. October 15, 2018. October 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181015042408/https://www.punknews.org/article/18857/tours-head-automatica-rock-kills-kid-men-women-and-children. live.
  35. Web site: X96 Big Ass Show festival lineup announced. Punknews.org. Reinecker, Meg. August 15, 2006. January 30, 2022. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130215010/https://www.punknews.org/article/19179/x96-big-ass-show-festival-lineup-announced. live.
  36. Web site: Head Automatica cancel second leg of Popaganda Tour. Punknews.org. Reinecker, Meg. August 18, 2006. January 31, 2022. January 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131094928/https://www.punknews.org/article/19242/head-automatica-cancel-second-leg-of-popaganda-tour. live.
  37. Web site: AP Exclusive: See the new Head Automatica video right now!. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822045653/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1174. Alternative Press. August 25, 2006. August 22, 2016. August 4, 2016.
  38. Web site: For The Record: Quick News On Christina, Danity Kane, John Legend, K-Fed, Jamie Foxx, U2 & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20220729210706/https://www.mtv.com/news/kqt8jx/for-the-record-quick-news-on-christina-danity-kane-john-legend-k-fed-jamie-foxx-u2-more. MTV. October 18, 2006. July 29, 2022. July 30, 2022.
  39. Web site: Head Automatica kick out drummer Larry Gorman. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822162704/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1406. Alternative Press. October 19, 2006. August 22, 2016. August 6, 2016.
  40. Web site: Dates for 30 Seconds To Mars/Head Automatica tour revealed. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822044424/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1230. Alternative Press. September 8, 2006. August 22, 2016. August 4, 2016.
  41. Web site: Bands on TV: Week of 11/20/06. Punknews.org. Reinecker, Meg. November 20, 2006. February 5, 2022. February 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220205181010/https://www.punknews.org/article/20951/bands-on-tv-week-of-11-20-06. live.
  42. Web site: Jack's Mannequin announce tour with Head Automatica. Alternative Press. November 27, 2006. August 7, 2016. August 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822201421/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1537. live.
  43. Head Automatica, 'Popaganda'. Billboard. Vrabel, Jeff. June 8, 2006. July 11, 2022. July 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711101020/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/head-automatica-popaganda-58186/. live.
  44. Web site: Head Automatica – Popaganda. Alternative Press. Bennett, J.. June 7, 2006. July 11, 2022. July 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220702015612/https://www.altpress.com/popaganda/. live.
  45. Web site: Head Automatica, 'Popaganda'. https://web.archive.org/web/20180410213552/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2006/06/06/head-automatica/. Chart Attack. June 6, 2006. April 10, 2018. usurped. July 11, 2022.
  46. Web site: For L.I. Rockers, Emo Is So Yesterday. https://web.archive.org/web/20171210194014/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/01lirock.html. The New York Times. LaGorce, Tammy. September 30, 2006. December 10, 2017. July 11, 2022.
  47. Popaganda. Head Automatica. 2006. booklet. Warner Bros. Records. 9362-44237-2.
  48. Web site: H & Claire – Hysterix. https://web.archive.org/web/20220127150404/https://zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_H.HTM. Zobbel.de. January 27, 2022. July 11, 2022.
  49. Web site: Head Automatica . 2023-03-27 . billboard.elpee.jp . en.

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