Labels: Matador
Review by: Andy Malcolm
You already know Superchunk, I hope, so maybe I can keep this review short. Ha ha. No, really!
Only the 3rd album I have by these indie rock types, but I reckon it’s my favourite of that particular triumvurate. They haven’t completely reinvented themselves or anything, it’s still the highly rocking, well played, enjoyable indie rock that can be heard on the other two albums I have (Indoor Living & Foolish). There’s a few additional instruments in the mix, as is the pre-requisit for indie bands these days. The super nice and tuneful “Hello Hawk” gives it some violin, and elsewhere there is sax, trumpet, trombone, and my personal favourite – ‘hand claps’. They don’t ever stray much away from the ‘mid-paced’ ground, although “Good Dreams” is primed with highly sussed indie punk for all the refined indie kids to break out and bounce around the room to when no-one is looking, therefore ensuring that their indie cred remains intact.
As is traditional, no lyrics in the booklet, I did read somewhere why this is, but I can’t find recall exactly where. Maybe I dreamed it. Hmm.
So, um, yeah, very very very good, I hope you have it already though. Definitely one of my fave albums of ’99, the rock is indie, and as is the case with Built to Spill, just so many emo indie bands wished they’d ever be this good if only they could play their instruments, got a real singer, and stopped using “we’re in the punk scene, honest guv” as an excuse for being sucky.
Summers day drive ‘n’ hum-a-long material. Mmm, mmm.