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Before girl fronted bands like Flyleaf and Fireflight made it into the spotlight, we had Superchick.
Their fresh and sometimes addicting hits like "One Girl Revolution" and "We Live" have gained so much attention that many of us
were singing them in our sleep. However, the last time the group released an album of all new tunes was three years ago. Now,
Superchick wants you to Rock What You Got, but maybe this time there's not so much to rock about.
Ahead of the criticism that's going to hit a little hard, Superchick deserves a round of applause for once again
demonstrating their song writing talent. Using some of the most unique lyrical methods possible, Rock What You Got
is basically the word "encouragement" packed into one thirty-plus minute recording. If one thing's for sure, this record won't get
you down. Unfortunately, that's where most of the praise for this album stops. To any diehard fan, this record may simply be great,
but to the average listener, Rock What You Got seems to be a near repeat of 2005's rather impressive Beauty From Pain.
And given the lapse of three years since their last studio release, the high expectations set for this record are failed to be met.
Accompanying a total of nine new songs are a remix of a song from two years ago ("Stand in the Rain") and a seemingly pointless
(although intriguing) guitar solo as a closing track ("Dave Ghazarian Guitar Hero"). Then there's "Alive," one of the tracks that stands
out, which mixes in nonsensical lyrics about zombies and electric sheep. Sounds fun? Maybe, but anything that hinders gaining the
concept of the song just shouldn't be there. More can be expected from this band after all these years.
It's hard to criticize a band that has become so well known and highly respected for what they do. Fortunately, Superchick's
faith is still at the forefront, which ultimately is the most important thing. However, some musical style evolution is necessary
to keep fans interested for the next run. Oftentimes bands are criticized for overselling their "raw and real" side, whereas we
truly haven't seen that with this band. Perhaps they'll take that into consideration for the next record.
- PReview date: 6/6/08; Review date: 6/21/08, written by Logan Leasure
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Superchick's Rock What You Got turns it up a notch, blending the band's signature punk-pop with more electronic elements,
producing a sound Superchick calls "rockotronic." The best examples of this new sound would be the title track and
"Hey Hey." However, the album is not without its share of slower-paced songs, like the haunting "Breathe," the power ballad
"Hold," and the powerful "Crawl." The lyrics are as clever and inventive as ever, especially in "Alive" and "Cross The Line."
The only weak song here would be "So Beautiful," which simply sounds like a rehash of their hit "Anthem." Although most of the
new material presented here is the band at its finest, there is only a meager nine tracks to showcase it. The rest of the
album consists of a much unnecessary "Frankenstein" excerpt ("Alive Prelude"), an unimpressive remix of the hit "Stand In The
Rain," and a random and pointless "Guitar Hero" solo from Dave.
- Matthew Watson of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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Record Label: Inpop Records
