Search - Super Genius :: Super Genius

Hard-pop at its best.

Harry McCandless | South Bend, IN USA | 02/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a big fan of this band's drummer, Dave Mattacks, who played with Fairport Convention and Richard Thompson for many years; so when I stumbled upon an ad for this record in "The Nation" magazine and saw DM posing with the other members, I knew, as a completist, I would have to get their CD. Happily, this is not a CD that will disappear, a mere curiosity, into the library. This is a very good rock and roll record that combines wonderful pop song writing with playing that managed to be both raw and refined. Mike Barry has a very expressive husky voice that commands attention within any given song's mix, but he is also able to use his voice as an instrument and blend in with the ensemble to create a "wall of sound" that is reminiscent of Bob Mould's short-lived group Sugar. This band is better than Sugar, however. The rhythmic power of Dave Mattacks, who is the ultimate "behind the beat" drummer, propels songs like "Nothing is in My Head' with an intensity that sounds wonderfully live and spontaneous, while at the same time, careful and sympathetic to the playing of the other musicians. Bassist Dean Cassell has a musical relationship with Mattacks rivaled in kick-bass closeness only by that of Fairport compatriot Dave Pegg; while lead guitarist Milt Reder delivers explosive but apposite playing that refuses to settle comfortably into the conventions of art or punk. Highly recommended."

What a surprise!

Harry McCandless | 01/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a fan of Michael Barry's 90's group Pooka Stew, so when a friend recommended this CD, I bought it right away. I expected it to be the same sort of power pop Bob Mould-meets-The-Smithereens sound, but it is much more thoughtful and "groove oriented". There's some Beatles White Album influence on some songs that I really like.The song Maybe I Am is extremely catchy, too."