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Thursday, October 12, 2006
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Superchick is a kick, but lyrics don't stick CD REVIEW Entertainment Editor Superchick's latest album, "Beauty from Pain" (2005), might be too much of a good thing.
The Chicago-based Christian/punk six-piece, which will headline a concert Sunday at Forestview Middle School, has had energetic clips of its music grabbed up by TV shows ("Alias," "Joan of Arcadia"), films ("Ice Princess," "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen") and video games ("NFL Street 3"). The band even spiced up NBC's promotional spots for February's Olympics. Superchick has certainly achieved short, controlled bursts of success.
But stretch Superchick out over an album and the super hooks get stretched thin, especially when complemented by pseudo-inspirational - but too impersonal - songwriting.
If you just want predictable beats to jump around to, "Beauty from Pain" has 'em. The band often sounds like a female-led Good Charlotte - the opening track shouts, "This is your anthem/Get your hands up," but GC got there a few years ago.
If you spin
Artist: Superchick
Album: "Beauty from Pain" (2005)
Genre: Alternative and punk
Highs: The pop hooks that have made the band a soundtrack staple are in steady supply.
Lows: The CD tries to be inspirational, but the lyrics are too impersonal.
Grade: B-
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Superchick probably sounds good live, but it would be nice if the lyrics packed as much punch as the music. There's clearly feeling behind the relatively softer tracks, but the band - fronted by sisters Tricia and Melissa Brock - can't quite communicate those feelings.
"Stories," "Wishes" (which sounds like a discarded Avril Lavigne track) and "Suddenly" (which sounds like something Our Lady Peace passed on) fall short of actually telling the stories of woe that inspired the songs. Instead, we get tossed-off cliches and bland shout-outs like "If you've been there/Put your hands in the air."
The last couple tracks almost buck the trend. "Courage" is about anorexia - a cliched topic, but at least it's about something. And on "We Live," the band packs away the punk affectations, relaxes into a beach-party groove and flirts with a narrative thread - we hear the point-of-view of a guy with cancer and a car crash victim's parent.
The very fact that Superchick is playing in Baxter proves that the band isn't just super at marketing its hooks for soundtracks and ads. The band cares about its fans and will do what it takes to get the music out there. It's a shame that, on "Beauty from Pain" at least, Superchick struggles to get the stories out there.
For more information or to purchase an album, visit www.superchick.net.
JOHN HANSEN, entertainment editor, can be reached at john.hansen@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5863.
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