Customer Reviews

Here's Where the Strings Come in

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

the thrashy fast songs make you cry just as quickly as the slow ones that ache bad

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!

This album is really cool. they've beenone of my favorites since i heard this album.if you like melodic edgy music you should hear this album. hyperenough isjust awesome.

The absolute best of the Superchunk new-sound (everything after Foolish). In fact, it's kind of a return to old form but with updated instruments and recording quality. Loud, happy, rocking. Everything on here is sing-a-long worthy and stands the test of time. Probably my favorite of theirs along with On the Mouth.

This album represents a turning point for the band. Long time 'chunk fans point to the lo-fi abandon of No Pocky for Kitty or Foolish as the pinnacle of Superchunk's impressive 15 year (and counting???) arc. However, for my money, this album combines the frenetic pogo hopping style (Hyper Enough comes to mind) of their early albums with the more hypnotic, pensive sound (Eastern Terminal) that will emerge on later albums. This is a strong album from start to finish, one that I return to time and time again. It's a great place to start your collection because the band's past and future are echoed so well.

I know most Superchunk fans consider their debut or "No Pocky. . ." the best in the band's catalog, but I disagree. While their first two albums are great, they represent Superchunk as nothing more than a great garage/punk band. And that's not a bad thing. But "Here's Where The Strings Come In" proves that Mac and the band are capable of more than just catchy, three-chord power punk.

"Silver Leaf and Snowy Tears" starts with a mellow picking pattern and evolves into a driving rocker by the end. "Animated Airplanes Over Germany" is easily one of the most complex songs the band has ever written. I consider this album to be their peak and it does not get the attention it deserves.

If you want to dig deeper into the Superchunk catalog, beyond the immediately catchy tunes like "Cool," and "Throwing Things," pick up this album. That's not to imply there aren't catchy tunes on this one, they're just not as obvious on first listen.

If you need an immediate hook, then the first track, "Hyper Enough" should do the trick. But stick with the rest of the album. These songs will grow on you quickly.

This album completely floored me. I had already heard some of the band's other albums and liked them all very much (especially "Foolish") but this one is stunning. The sound is incredible and the performances are powerful and heartfelt. Mac's voice may not be the prettiest in rock but it drips with sincerity and intelligence. The songs here are certainly among the band's best, too. I defy anyone to hear a song like "Iron On" and not relate to it on an emotional level at the very least. A perfect blend of sadness, joy, and soul.