In their two previous releases, Superchunk seemed to suffer from a lack of direction. Their newfound musical maturity had them abandoning the catchy anthems of their early records and smoothing out all their jagged edges a... more »nd lovable imperfections. With Here's Where the Strings Come In, however, they've finally found a happy medium. This infectiously lively release has the punch of No Pocky for Kitty and the deeper lyrics and more complex musical arrangements of Foolish and On the Mouth. The band doesn't need to rely on the simplistic three-chord explosions that used to be its trademark; instead, it has focused its musical energy on creating mature, moody guitar pop that, while not lacking in passion, is expressive in a wider variety of ways. Guitarist/vocalist Mac McCaughan has written some fine songs on Here's Where the Strings Come In, and he convincingly delivers them in that perpetually adolescent wail that still cracks when strained. Though some of the tunes are serious and angst-ridden, rarely does the pace drag, and the midtempo monotony that plagued some previous albums is thankfully absent. Though it may not have the same pogo-inspiring energy of No Pocky, this Superchunk album is a nice compromise between their hyperpunk beginnings and their later, more introspective buzz pop groove. --Adem Tepedelen« less
In their two previous releases, Superchunk seemed to suffer from a lack of direction. Their newfound musical maturity had them abandoning the catchy anthems of their early records and smoothing out all their jagged edges and lovable imperfections. With Here's Where the Strings Come In, however, they've finally found a happy medium. This infectiously lively release has the punch of No Pocky for Kitty and the deeper lyrics and more complex musical arrangements of Foolish and On the Mouth. The band doesn't need to rely on the simplistic three-chord explosions that used to be its trademark; instead, it has focused its musical energy on creating mature, moody guitar pop that, while not lacking in passion, is expressive in a wider variety of ways. Guitarist/vocalist Mac McCaughan has written some fine songs on Here's Where the Strings Come In, and he convincingly delivers them in that perpetually adolescent wail that still cracks when strained. Though some of the tunes are serious and angst-ridden, rarely does the pace drag, and the midtempo monotony that plagued some previous albums is thankfully absent. Though it may not have the same pogo-inspiring energy of No Pocky, this Superchunk album is a nice compromise between their hyperpunk beginnings and their later, more introspective buzz pop groove. --Adem Tepedelen
"Singer/guitarist Mac MacCaughan gets happy again after the moody (yet beautiful) "Foolish". A combination of the maturity of the two albums that came before it with the garage energy of the first two outings, "Strings" is a collection of varied (but mostly on upbeat side), hooky, tunes that should have you moving and mumbling along in no time. Included is minor "Alternative Nation" hit, "Hyper Enough", which should have been as big as "Smells Like Teen Spirit", had the right people paid any attention."
Return to Noise with clarity
Charles A Galupi | Euless, Texas | 03/29/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As soon as you put the needle on this one [or pushes play on the CD player] you're going to get greeted by a happy noisy record that occasionally slows down but doesn't really let up for about 45 minutes or so.First the 'Chunks discover Angus Young's secret to great guitar sound: loud and overdriving doesn't have to sound like a danged Metallica record. The sound of 'Chunk records continues getting clearer and one can hear the actual drums and bass notes [and backing vocals] as opposed the wall of sound [much as I love it] on the early records. This way when they want to hit you over the head, they kick in a louder fuzzy guitar like they do on "Silverleaf and Snowy Tears" or "Eastern Terminal." Second: Mac has come up with a another great batch of songs with a pile of hooks that would do any Cars record proud. And again, you can actaully sometimes make out what Mac is singing. Most of the time he's singing about a screwed up relationship [keeping in mind this was after he and bass player Laura Ballance fell out] but he's more sad than bitter. This record also contains the very pretty "Green Flowers, Blue Fish" and the greatest "yeah yeah" chorus this side of "She Loves You" on the driving "It's Beautiful Here, Too."Really it's hard to describe this record if you're not familliar with the touch points. It's not as hard as the Foo Fighters, but it has all the elements that make that "accessable power pop. [And Mac seems to mention airplanes a lot in his songs] If you're looking for a first Superchunk, this would be a good one. If you own earlier 'Chunk it's a good record to catch a band maturing."
An Aquired Taste, Worth Acquiring
jmcampbe11 | Baltimore, MD | 10/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my favorite Superchunk album. I guess by definition they're grouped into the category of "punk", but that tag doesn't do them justice. They're songs are well crafted, and poetic. They also know how to flat out rock. If the chorus of "Greenflowers, Buefish" doesn't set your toes a tappin' then you better check yourself for a pulse. Beware, Mac McCaughan's voice is an aquired taste so if sometimes off key vocals bother you stay away. If not do yourself a favor and buy this album, then pick up "Foolish" next."
I had a crush; nothing works out
p-r-d-c-t | bronxville, NY USA | 08/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"the thrashy fast songs make you cry just as quickly as the slow ones that ache bad"
Know this by heart
dean@alt-f.com | 07/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this album so much. When you listen to Superchunk and Portisatic you feel like Mac is letting you listen to his heart. I loved "Detroit has a Skyline" so much that I learned it on my guitar!"