Search - Superdrag :: In the Valley of Dying Stars

SCREW ELEKTRA ,THIS IS REAL ROCK N ROLL

itscashed | houston, TX USA | 06/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After the disaster of superdrag's relationship with elektra records, the 'nice, polite boys' (as john davis calls his band in the superdrag:instant live album 2003) from tennessee turn in their coat and ties for jeans and smoked infested black t-shirts. they outgrew their mop tops and stopped combing their hair.
THEY EXCAHNGED THE WHAT USED TO SEEM LIKE THE DREAM OF OPENING UP FOR NADA SURF EVERY OTHER DAY FOR HEADLINING BARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, most of the time though it was in their beloved south. these bars are what represent superdrag. the hard working 'been there screw it' attitude that they hold. they dont care if they have to play at a greasy, one-ceiling fan, sports center on in the bakground tv, one pool table bar.
The record opens up with the feedback of some Tennessee baseball radio station, only more supporting their blue collar humble backgrounds. it then turns to a the signature superdrag guitar with no bull lyrics that sting. "I want rock n roll, but i dont wanna deal with the hassel. i know what i know but i dont wanna feel like an a**hole." those are the words that preview the moder power pop classic that is In the Valley of Dying Stars. as the record goes on, power pop explosion of guitar and yelling after another type of song goes on until it hits the almost trippy in the armth of a tomb and is followed by a rock song but then sinks back into melancholy but with hope of better with the song ambulance driver. the song is an ode to davis' grandfather who passed away. davis was very close to him and it shows with his emotional lyrics in the next 2 songs, leaving no music inbetween them for betterness but instead striving to move on through sad music. "ambulance driver, you were out too late, there was nothing you could do, I shouldve done it anyways, if the Word of God is true..." it then goes through some more power pop songs then goes into the live favorite title track in the valley of dying stars. the songs stays with you with its perfect davis vocals and its as always superb lyrics.
"if you don't like superdrag, you dont like rock n roll""

This is an AMAZING album...Buy It!

R. Rodriguez | Los Angeles | 11/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Superdrag's back to basics album. After experimenting with different sounds on their second album "Headtrip In Every Key", they went back to just using guitars, bass, drums and vocals on this album. The album opens with what is quite possibly, the best "f**k you" to the music industry which they belonged to. The song is "Keep It Close To Me". There isn't a bad song on this album. Not a single song. Every song on this album is Classic Superdrag. This is the album I tell friends to pick up if they want to be introduced to the band. Then you should pick up "Headtrip In Every Key", "Last Call For Vitriol", "The Fabulous 8-Track Sounds Of Superdrag", "Greetings From Tennessee E.P.", and lastly "Regretfully Yours". I think their first album is quite possibly their weakest effort. Once you're done wearing out these albums, pick up John Davis' self-titled first solo album!!! thanks



"