Superelastic

Velo Deluxe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mammoth
• ASIN: B000004AWD
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #698,396 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The opening number, "Superelastic," offers the impression that Velo-Deluxe are merely an eccentric hard pop band, with swirling guitars, some subtle horns and odd noise ruminating in the background. Subsequent tracks expose a deeper band that understands melody and hooks as well as they understand noise. Most importantly, however, they understand songs. Guitarist/vocalist/producer John Strohm croons country tunes like "Angels" with the same agility and ease as some of the record's harder numbers. All these pieces exhibit the same uniform, high quality, however, and none fits in awkwardly as a part of the whole. The band's playing works like a musical chameleon, never straying too far out of range of color, but quite comfortable in the chosen territory. This wonderful debut is a glorious find. Fans of Flop, The Posies, and Love Battery will no doubt appreciate the fine pop songs and fantastic songwriting. Unlike the vacuum cleaner on the cover of Superelastic, Velo-Deluxe do not suck. --Adem Tepedelen

Product Description

(MR00892)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sounds just fine, October 26, 2006

By 

John L Murphy "Fionnchú" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Superelastic (Audio CD)

An accurate time capsule now of the mid 90s era when indie rock shifted from college radio to grungier bands, John Strohm & bandmates create therefore a harder-edged sound than John had with the Blake Babies and later (I think) Antenna. I liked it when it came out, especially the track Alibi. Listening again recently, the CD seemed more samey than I remembered. It's a bit too close to Smashing Pumpkins, mostly, although with a much less whiny vocalist!

It's all good mid-tempo rock music, with no clunkers, but with the possible exception of the first half of Alibi, heard today, it's rather undistinguished, workmanlike, and unassuming. The songs tend to plod on with little variety once they're set up in motion, and even Alibi drags too much. Repetition weakens the simple song structures. The best quality is the Midwestern (Indiana) vibe with a folkier touch with guest musicians on a few cuts; this diversity's welcome amidst the clamor.

5.0 out of 5 stars Check this out. You won't be disappointed., January 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Superelastic (Audio CD)

OK, OK. I'm a bit biased. As a matter of fact, I'm the only one so far to review this album. I met John Strohm through some mutual friends in Bloomington, IN (Tony and Chae where you at?) and had the pleasure of seeing Velo Deluxe at the Second Story.
Although a relatively short-lived John Strohm project - just before the bluegrass stint at the Pit Stop Tavern, I believe - Velo Deluxe is/was one of my favorite bands. Fuzz. noise. Wall of sound. Great pop tunes. Crank it up and let it rip. As the "Trouser Press" put it, "Superelastic is kicka$$ cool."