By Kevin Scott
Superchunk’s near decade-long absence ended with 2010’s Majesty Shredding and fans will be wondering what the band have planned this time around. From the opening bars of ‘Overflows’ the answer is evidently more of the same huge melodious indie rock that has served them well since the late 80s. Mac McCaughan’s gravelly vocal sets us off and it's as if they've never been anyway as booming drums and a classic indie rock rhythm quickly make their mark on I Hate Music.
With parallels to bands like The Hold Steady and Pavement, Superchunk know how to build an upbeat, positive chorus, though the band are older now, obviously and so there are darker tinges here. This is college rock for men who are now parents to teenagers. The questions life asks of the band, and their audience, are more probing, more demanding. And so I Hate Music responds musically, with big guitar riffs that fill every part of the track, and lyrically – like on the short, punchy and raucous ‘Me & You & Jackie Mittoo: “I hate music, what is it worth? Can’t bring anyone back to this earth”.
The album follows much in this rocky style. It's fast, the vocals always strong and individual. McCaughan has a hugely distinctive voice and its one of the bands strongest cards. They play it well.
The 1 minute 15 second ‘Staying Home’ is a cracker. Feedback kicks us off before a clattering drum driven grungy sound pummels and thrashes away. Alternate radio stations across the US are bound to pick up on tracks like this and ‘Low F’, which comes complete with another huge chorus.
While the tracks are distinct, there are also perhaps too many similarities and it would have been interesting to see where Superchunk have moved to, what new influences they’ve picked up. Some tracks, such as ‘Breaking Down’ seem a tad too formulaic, so from that regard I Hate Music disappoints a little in places.
It's hard to be too critical though as this is a cult band delivering what they always have. The melodies have great hooks and the guitars soar as high as they’ve ever done. Fans will undoubtedly be content, but whether or not it delivers enough to win Superchunk any new listeners remains to be seen.
