Superheaven
Ours is Chrome
Reviewed by: Matt Kelchner
The grunge movement is alive and well in 2015. Case in point: Pennsylvania’s very own Superheaven. Formerly known as the band Daylight, they helped usher in this revival two years ago with their debut album Jar. With another trip to producer/engineer Will Yip and Studio 4 in the Philadelphia suburb of Conshohocken, Superheaven are ready to unleash their sophomore release Ours Is Chrome this Tuesday.
Back in 2013, Superheaven (then known as Daylight) roared onto the scene with an roaring introduction in Jar. The album, released on Run For Cover Records, came at a time when the “emo revival” was just beginning to gain attention on a national level. Taking the thread of personal, emotional lyrics and channeling it through chugging, crunchy guitars took Superheaven on an offshoot that was undeniably grunge. As the first few minutes of the lead single and first song off their new album “I’ve Been Bored” blare, it’s clear that the band is not deviating off the path they helped forge.
It’s easy to label Ours Is Chrome as predictable. It’s just as guitar driven and grunge influenced as it’s predecessor. At the same time, the record shows a band that is even more serious and focused on honing their sound. For an album that utilizes guitar tracks as it’s anchor, they sound incredible on each and every track. Song after song, there is a wall of buzzy, distorted six strings that shines. Individually, it’s clear that the tones of each guitar on each song were carefully constructed.
The same level of closeness and reality are present on the album as well. Songs like “All The Pain” and “Blur” share introspective views from Superheaven as they adjust to the level of popularity that they have reached, all the while as huge riffs erupt. Despite the heavy comparison to earlier grunge bands, a few tracks on the album show the album testing new waters, most notable with the slow burner punk song “Next To Nothing”. All in all the collection of tunes that make up Ours Is Chrome shows a band that is not ready to rest on it’s sound and tone.
Rating: Bad-Ass
