Some music is all about livin’ the crazy life. And don’t worry, I’m not referring to La Vida Loca. Ricky Martin can take a long walk off a short precipice in my opinion. Anyway, he’s not what I’m reviewing. This week, it’s all about Boston newcomers Apollo Sunshine. After two long years of prepping, on Oct. 7, Apollo Sunshine released their official debut album Katonah. The musical wisdom and capability contained in this album rejects the stereotypical image of a safe, boring debut. Simply put, Katonah speaks of experience. It’s an album that’s full of, for lack of a better word, craziness. But what would you expect from a band that once handed out over 200 pieces of gum to the audience just so they could chew in time to the rhythm?

While listening to the album, I couldn’t help but feel like the three band members, Sam Cohen, Jesse Gallagher and Jeremy Black, just sat back and said “Hey, fuck it, we’re just going to have fun.” Katonah is pretty much fun translated into music, and anything goes. There are elements reminiscent of the Beach Boys, especially the guitar in “I Was On the Moon,” one of the best songs on the album. It is a surprisingly touching, almost pop-ish (think “Blueside” by Rooney) song about a relationship between brothers. The lyrics, “I was on the moon when you were born, trying to write for you the perfect song,” sum up the basic message.

“Happening” follows “I Was On the Moon,” and it shows a different end of the spectrum. It’s much harder, lyrically and instrumentally, while still managing to maintain the flow that ties the whole album together. The instrumentals are almost invasively static-sounding, but it only adds to the chaotic nature of the song, so I let it slide. Another standout track is “The Egg,” which has a Nintendo-esque/amusement park feel in the background. Lyrically, it’s pretty intense, which is an interesting contrast to the whimsical instrumentals. “Seems the more you learn the less and less and less and less you know. Every 60 seconds wasted still brings us a minute further. Farther from the egg.” Interesting way of putting it, isn’t it?

While the lyrics are enjoyable and oftentimes insightful, it’s the instrumental aspects of Katonah that really set it apart from other albums. They are chaotic by nature, but paradoxically feel as if every psycho riff on the guitar, keyboard beep or boop or trippy echo is artfully planned out. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. There are unique and appealing elements in every song. If you’re looking for music that plays outside of the box, Apollo Sunshine’s Katonah is a must.