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Amplifier Magazine April 2001 issue
"By
day...Superintendents, by night...Super Rock Heroes!" reads the
liner notes to this mini-masterpiece from Toronto's The Supers. It works
for me--I mean if Clark Kent can be a newspaper reporter, why the heck
not? In a more just world, where pure talent and desire were enough
to actually pay the bills, The Supers could quit their day jobs. But
as we're living in reality, I'd advise any and all lovers smart, sharp,
melodic pop and roll to catch one of the Supers shows shows at first
opportunity.
In
the meantime, be sure to score a copy of Spklanng! from your local neighborhood
pop music dealer. the twelve melodic gems here are sure to quicken any
true pop fan's pulse. The beautifully melancholy "Secret,"
featuring a guitar solo from heaven, opens the disc and sets the bar
high. "Even Fools" begins with a Chris Isaak vibe, and utilizes
a toy piano solo that would do NRBQ's Terry Adams proud. "So Many
Crooks" and "Turn" call upon the manic energy of Barenaked
Ladies, while "I Don't Wanna Sleep" is glorious acoustic pop
that recalls the best of Crowded House. The energetic, hook-laden "
Stitch in Time" is time capsule-worthy power-pop, with its requisite
chiming guitars and ethereal background vox. Even better is "Only
You," quite simply the most beautiful, straightforward love ballad
to come down the pike in far too long.
And
though it's still relatively early in the new year, I will say this
much: if by some chance Spklanng! doesn't find a place on scores of
year-end "best of" lists, then 2001 will have been a damn
fine year for music, indeed.
-Rick
Shadelbauer for Amplifier Magazine April 2001 issue
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