Customer Reviews

No Pocky for Kitty

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4 star:		(1)
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Superchunk to a huge lead forward with the release of 'No Pocky For Kitty'. While like their first album its clear what the band's musical influences are, on this album those influences don't dictate Superchunk's sound, they turn it into something if not unique then very individual. The other major difference from the their first album is the band's song writing craft. There's not any filler here, each song has great hooks and pop craft underneath the snarling crunching guitars. From 'Skip Steps 1 & 2' to 'Punch Me Harder' is a flawless opening volley that doesn't see the band repeating themselves or have a dull moment. Some credit must go to Steve Albini yes for making them sound so ferocious keeping their dense layered sound, but at the same time crystal clear. However had he produced (or engineered I think is the term he prefers) their first album is still wouldn't have been that great, but combined with the great songs Superchunk put together for 'No Pocky For Kitty' the album surpasses just being great and becomes classic. This albums needs to be blasted loudly from stereos (be careful of listening to it on headphones it can hurt your ears seriously) on warm summer afternoons, or anytime really, but warm summer afternoons seem to work best for me. If you only get one Superchunk album (and there's at least two others you ought to) get this one. Its the moment Superchunk arrived, full of life, an independent spirit and great tunes.

...We called it "melodic punk"--heartfelt, angst-filled, barely perceptible lyrics playing second-fiddle to driving baselines and distorted guitar waves creating a blissful cacophony of sweet melody. No Pocky is the venith of all an indie rock band can aspire to be on one album. As Nirvana walked on the sidewalk of music culture in the early '90s, Superchunk was Throwing Things down on them, from the treetops of DIY. If you don't understand, listen to the album and be re-born. Thanks for the flashback.

I saw Superchunk several times in the late 1980s, 1990, and 1991. This album strikes me as their best work. Often called "Muppet Rock," because of the upbeat nature of many of their tunes, I guess (unless it was the bouncing around on stage...), the tunes are bouncy, the lyrics are personal, and yes, it's sort of punkish.

"Skip Steps 1 and 3" seemed to be the tune of the day on college radio, but I came to like "Cast Iron" and "Punch Me Harder" better.

It was hard to beat The Chunk for pure energy back in that day. It's still a fun listen.

Superchunk is the greatest band on the face of the earth. For ten years, they have spit in the face of the musical mainstream, ignoring potentially REM-like stardom, all for the satisfaction to DO IT THEIR WAY! While their newer albums are probably of a higher musical quality, it is No Pocky For Kitty that is the Chunk's masterpiece. Their second album rocked with all of the engery and excitement of their debut, but revealed heights which the band would later attain with songs like the magnificent Throwing Things. Punk rock has never sounded so good. Incidentally, this ablum also set off the Chapel Hill NC sound which was hailed in the early 90's as the next Seattle and later produced such diverse acts as the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Ben Folds Five, Archers of Loaf, and Polvo.

This is *the* Superchunk CD. This was the first time they got decent studio time, and nobody was yet criticizing them for being a pogo-to-anything one-trick pony. This album really rocks from start to finish.

The best-known track is probably "Seed Toss." There was a time when this was the second-best-known 'Chunk track after "Slack MF" from the first album. There are several other great tracks, too, including "Skip Steps 1 and 3" and "Throwing Things."

No guest artists. No ballads. And no, it wasn't produced by "Laura, who sat in the right chair."

Oh. And Pocky is a milk-based Japanese candy consisting of a thin cookie stick coated with something nondescript and sweet that comes in at least three flavors. You can usually get it at a good Korean grocery store in any decent-sized city. And Kitty can't have any because candy's not good for cats. And if you don't believe me check the website (www.superchunk.com).

And it's the albums that are the strongest. I got most of the eps and each one is, to me, half great songs and half nothin' much songs. This albums, however, is very strong. Rather than petering out after about 5 songs I really like the first 11 of 12, and the first 9 even better. They hit me in the right groove, guitars that don't quit, a vocals I like, and music that has a strong indie rock sound. Lyrically, it's ok, though, I gotta admit, lyrics, in general, have little interest for me. At church when the band that sounds like SMASHING PUMPKINS has worship lyrics, then it hits it for me. Still, this album, if you want movin' sounds, that is, not slow stuff, fun occasional harmony and a real modern American sound, this is it. Sure, on occasion they slow down a bit, but usually this is driving music, perfect for the road really, if you ask me. chrisbct@hotmail.com

The best Superchunk album. What more do I need to say

I listened to this in the car today, and it is still great.