BACKSTAGE (2025)

Hello. If you're a friend of mine, Backstage (2025) needs no introduction. However, if you've just happened across this website, I'll fill you in.

Backstage is the debut album of psych rock/"maximalist genre-fluid storytelling art 'rock'" band The Odd Ditties, colloquially known as "the best band, ever, of all time," fronted by Austin Ash Lemon (co-founder of Needlejuice Records; former member of Smashy Claw, etc.) It's a nine song LP that has a runtime of around 47 minutes. In these 47 minutes, it packs in multiple genres and an incredible emotional arc about growing up existential-style. It also serves as the first installment of the Rockumentary trilogy, alongside the as of yet unreleased albums Soundcheck and Stagedive.

Prior to the album's release, three singles were released: Backstage (b/w B-Side, a song about the frivolity of b-sides), Can't Wait! (b/w a cover of I Don't Wanna Grow Up by Tom Waits, as a fun juxtaposition), and Ode to Procreation (b/w Circle Of Life, a cover of the song from The Lion King, featuring fellow NJR co-founder and Nuclear Bubble Wrap frontperson Jace McLain on drums). Post-release, on Ash Lemon's 33rd birthday, My Room was also released as a single b/w a cover of In My Room by the Beach Boys.

These songs, and their respective b-sides, are a great appetizer for the contents of the album, spanning multiple genres and running the gamut of emotions explored throughout Backstage.

Backstage makes me ill enough to write about it. You can read the current rough draft of a 'paper' on Snow Day here.

And if it wasn't clear already, I am deeply fond of this album and think everyone should listen to it. Consider this a glowing, 10/10 review. AOTY 2025.