16. April 2025
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Media Review

American Aquarium – The Fear Of Standing Still

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

American Aquarium - The Fear of Standing Still

American Aquarium - The Fear of Standing Still
5

Rating

 5.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Great, very personal songs
  • A lovely journey through different styles of (alternative) country

The US-American band American Aquarium is looking back to almost twenty years of band history. On 26th July 2024, they released a new album. Here is my review of The Fear of Standing Still.

 

American Aquarium – About The Artists

American Aquarium is an alternative country band. They have been founded in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2005. The band is lead by lead vocalist and guitarist BJ Barham. The band had frequent lineup changes. The current lineup is Shane Boeker (guitar), Rhett Hiffman (organ, piano), Neil Jones (pedal steel), Ryan Van Fleet (drums, percussion) and Alden Hedges (bass). The Fear of Standing Still has been produced in collaboration with Shooter Jennings.

 

American Aquarium – The Fear of Standing Still – Track by Track

The ten track album lasts 40 minutes.

1. Crier

The first thing that we do when we fall
Is learn eventually that gravity will get us all
The skin off your knees feels like hell for just a minute
Til Daddy comes bellowing “just rub some dirt in it“
The first thing that we do when we fall

It’s okay to be a crier is the key message of the opener of this American Aquarium album. The song is a nice mixture of alternative, rock and country vibes. Especially the brief chorus leads to a nice catch.

2. Messy As A Magnolia

I was messy as a magnolia blooming in the month of May – the first verse of the second song makes me think and reflect my knowledge of English already. The song is more gentle and also comes with a stronger country music touch. Nonetheless, American Aquarium put their very own touch into it, which turns this single release into a very special listen.

3. Cherokee Purples

Cherokee Purples closes the opening block of three previously released songs. The song is rather quiet, only almost whiny guitar lines break the slightly melancholic atmosphere. The song is reflecting about BJ Barham’s grandmother (We lost her back in ’95) and thus also strikes with its very personal message.

4. The Getting Home

The fourth song comes with a lot of typical country music elements. Especially Neil Jones and his pedal steel is very present in this. The song is about being on the road as musician all the time – and finally, the hard part is getting used to the getting home. Another really good storyline on The Fear Of Standing Still.

5. Southern Roots

The ballad-style Southern Roots is a lovely, intimate more than five minute listen. There is not too much on the instrumental side what this song needs to impress. I definitely recommend listening to it.

If there’s one thing I’ve found
You can’t change the way you sound
You can only change the words that you choose
So I’m putting in the work
I’m digging in the dirt
I’m replanting my Southern roots

6. The Curse of Growing Old

I watched my father put his father in the ground
Without a single solitary tear falling down
On the car ride home I remember asking why
He said it’s simple son, you’re born,you live a little then you die
And crying ain’t gonna bring them back it’s just a waste of time

Bloom, die and fade away is the curse of growing old according to the sixth song of the album. Again, BJ Barham and his band present a lovely, intimate insight into their perspective on life. Great storytelling and songwriting in here – again.

7. The Fear of Standing Still

The title track of the album is the seventh one of it. The very personal reflection on life as a musician (The road has been calling my name as long as I remember) feels to be the perfect fit to the two songs before. The song also spreads a rather relaxed mood, like a key statement in the chorus is underlining: There will always be another song to sing, another show to play. Life goes on. And with songs like this, life goes on in a lovely way.

8. Piece By Piece

While most of the songs in The Fear of Standing Still are guitar-driven, Piece by Piece is a piano ballad. The song is a beautiful praise to love and being loved. Even in the the bad times. Another highlight moment by American Aquarium.

You pulled me out of a hole I’d been digging
Smiled and said you aint getting rid of me that easy
You picked up all the parts left of me worth saving
And somehow found a way to put me back together
One piece at time

9. Babies Having Babies

The album has more and more altered. It started with very present, rocking, energetic songs. Towards its end, like here at Babies Having Babies, it almost feels like a traditional country music album. The constant factor, however, is the catching songwriting, the deep and relatable stories. I love it.

10. Head Down, Feet Moving

I just stated that the album feels to take you on a musical style cruise back in time. Just in line with that, Head Down, Feet Moving feels to be the perfect fit. It mixes country elements with very traditional rock’n’roll style. This leads to a very energetic, but also very special finale. Just as this album deserves.

 

American Aquarium – The Fear of Standing Still – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

American Aquarium – The Fear of Standing Still – My View

American Aquarium take you on a journey in 2024. There are so different songs, many coming with deep, personal, touching stories. The band really impressed me while I was listening to their album. I am thankful that I was able to digest The Fear Of Standing Still. It’s simply a great one.

Favorite Song: Southern Roots

 

Flyctory.com Country Music Concert Coverage

Here is a list of all concerts I covered, limited to Country Music:

 

The Flyctory.com Club of Excellence

There are not too many reviews (of any kind) which make it to a 5.0 on Flyctory. Praise the best ones:

 

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