Search - Superchunk :: Cup of Sand

Cup of Sand
Superchunk
Cup of Sand
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #2

The indie pride of Chapel Hill, NC, Superchunk kept its DYI spirit alive in the face of oft-shaky alt rock fortunes. This set is essentially an exercise in vault-cleaning, culling a decade's worth of outtakes, EPs, B-sides...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Superchunk
Title: Cup of Sand
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Merge Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2000
Re-Release Date: 8/19/2003
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Indie & Lo-Fi, American Alternative
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 036172952120

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The indie pride of Chapel Hill, NC, Superchunk kept its DYI spirit alive in the face of oft-shaky alt rock fortunes. This set is essentially an exercise in vault-cleaning, culling a decade's worth of outtakes, EPs, B-sides, and previously compilation-only cuts into a 25-track double-disc that chronicles the band's disparate muse--including energetic covers of Adam Ant's "Beat My Guest" and David Bowie's "Scary Monsters"--if as many undercooked ideas as accomplished ones. Superchunk's strength has always been as a singles band, and when their music is focused into the smart, propulsive energy of "Basement Life" or the Indoor Living outtake "The Majestic," it's as good as anything their more successful contemporaries churned out. Snarky acoustic takes of "1000 Pounds" and "Detroit Has a Skyline" also showcase the band's intriguing range of musical colors and emotion. Superchunk devotees will welcome the band's detailed comments on every track and the collection's convenient gathering of tracks from a daunting range of eclectic sources, if only four previously unreleased cuts. --Jerry McCulley

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CD Reviews

Plenty of keepers in this collection!
John M. Abbott | Oakland, CA USA | 06/02/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)

"The only drawback to B-side collections is that when you discover a song that's really, really good, you wonder why the band didn't put IT on the album it was recorded for and leave off some of the garbage they DID put on the album. And so it is with Cup of Sand. "The Majestic," "Reg" and "With Bells On" are amazing songs that somehow didn't make the cut for Indoor Living; I think they're better than practically anything on Side Two of that album. And "Her Royal Fisticuffs" deserved better than languishing on an EP. Cup of Sand also collects some fun covers, acoustic versions of much-loved tracks like "Detroit Has a Skyline" and various songs that definitely DIDN'T deserve a spot on an album proper. The accompanying booklet is very meaty, as all four band members weigh in with their memories (or lack thereof) of each track."
Where are those songs!? Oh, there they are...
Stargrazer | deep in the heart of Michigan | 10/31/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the nice things about Superchunk's singles and EPs is that you know the B-sides are going to be good. Not content to throw on a muffed studio take or a tossed-off live version, the band instead includes songs that stand on their own merits every bit as well (and sometimes better) than album cuts.



For completists or those who don't want to track down all the singles (a few of which are vinyl only), this is a great way to fill in the gaps. And it's pretty revelatory if you were a bit disappointed in the pace and production of "Indoor Living" or "Come Pick Me Up." Songs like "Her Royal Fisticuffs," "The Majestic" and "The Mine Has Been Returned To It's Original Owner" crackle with life. The loping "Fader Rules" appears in all its Tom Petty-conjuring glory. Fun covers of David Bowie, Adam Ant and Government Issue add some extra kick to this indie-rock curry. And "Becoming a Speck," "Clover," and "The Hot Break" shouldn't be missed by any serious Superchunk fan.



It's not exhaustive -- the superlative acoustic renditions from the "Hello Hawk" and "Driveway to Driveway" EPs are still AWOL, the wonderful Failure cover off the limited ed. "Laughter Guns" EP and a few others that deserve wider exposure remain missing. Perhaps we'll see them on future collections?"
To think `Chunk thought this was crap
C. Popp | Chicago, IL United States | 12/11/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, the first cd is a little slow and I am biased cuz' I already had most of the songs but the second cd is really great. Two of my faves, the cover of Adam Ant's "Beat My Guest" and the Bowie cover: "Scarry Monsters". "Becoming A Speck" is more of the classic Punk-esque `Chunk. If your a fan of the greatest band in the world, then you'd enjoy this cd."