Superjesus - Rock Music

Rock Music is The Superjesus' third album. It was released in 2003, three years after Jet Age.

... And therein lies a strange situation for me. Jet Age is one of my all-time favourite albums, however it feels quite unrelated to the rest of the band's discography. I find Jet Age more sophisticated than Rock Music, so it's quite strange to realise that Rock Music is actually the later album.

To start with the audio quality, some songs use a lot of stereo effects to position instruments very wide. This works a treat on speakers, but on headphones it can leave the centre of the image feeling a bit empty. Perhaps a related issue is that the bass guitar is often hollow sounding and indistinct. On the bright side, the vocals sound wonderful- crisp and delicate but also with a nicely husky edge, and great use of chorus effects.

I suppose that Shudder fulfils its role as an opener, but I find it a bit wall-of-noise. The style of it is similar to Magic Dirt (plus probably a thousand other late-grunge bands with male vocalists, but unfortunately my mind pigeonholes songs based on the number of chromosomes for the lead singer).

On the other hand, Stick Together is a highlight thanks to its wonderfully catchy chorus. Simple and formulaic, but highly enjoyable pop-rock. And then Let it Go strikes a wonderful middle ground between the styles of the aforementioned, thanks to heavier verses punctuated by a gloriously infectious chorus. I was going to complain about the distorted vocal effect used in verses, although maybe it makes the clean vocals in the chorus more enjoyable by contrast.

Over & Out and Bodies for Breaking are further evidence for a "no chorus, no care" theory, with the former having a great chorus and therefore being highly enjoyable. Bodies for Breaking does not and is not. Unfortunately the drums are quite distorted... another victim of the noughties "loudness war", dammit.

Whinge time... Medication is generic riff-rock with uninspiring vocals and a chorus somehow lacking sparkle. The opening line of Closer strongly reminded me of a hit sung by a Scottish lady: "And if it makes..." ... you happy, perhaps? (i.e. Garbage). Unfortunately this song certainly does not. It is a collection of solid musical elements, shoehorned together very awkwardly.

To end on a positive note, These Dreams is a wonderful exception to the "no chorus no care" theory. I really dig its industrial/sparse mood. Also bringing the variety is Manic which has a nice build-up and use of minor chords in the pre-chorus. It's a good change of pace in the middle of the album, and quite enjoyable in its own right.

 

Favourite songs

Stick Together, Let it Go, These Dreams, Over & Out, Manic

I diggit?

My expectations were quite low for this album, but it turns out to have grown on me. Some people might look down on the "don't bore us, get to the chorus" approach (thanks, Roxette!), but I enjoyed 50% of this album, so that's a pass in my book.