Released 16th November 2009
Getting off to a chirpy start – and sounding like a cross between summer college radio hit and driving anthem – The Superfantastics swoop straight in with 'Turn On Me'. They idly steer you from one side of the road to the other as Stephanie d’Entremont’s relentless drumming reels against Matthew MacDonald’s squeaky clean guitar. Quite the deceivers this duo, as they play such sugary sweet music, you would never guess they were singing such gloomy lyrics.
Harking influence from such pop heavyweights as The Shins and Lightning Seeds, the pair’s second track 'Lullaby Punches' gently rocks you to sleep before rudely awaking you with a blast of percussion, while 'Rites Of Spring' sends you off giddily skipping through mounds of long grass. It’s then on to the video-game, hip-hop stylings of 'Van Gogh'; an ode to that girl who is so beautiful, the only possible way she could look more gorgeous would be if she were framed.
Such use of video-gamery nostalgia can be a tad overwhelming at times, but the duo draw on just enough and pull out before getting on your nerves. Right to do so, of course, as we shan’t be fooled! If you want to impress us Canadians, you need to crack out something truly (ahem…) Superfantastic!
They finally give us the chugging, space-age ender 'The Astronomer'. Short and sweet, it does the job of making you bop for two-and-a-half minutes.
Definitely potent of harmless 90s indie pop, The Superfantastics seem to want to bring it all back kicking and screaming before the noughties end. So reminiscent of ten years ago they are, in fact, they almost compel you to feel wistful of your childhood; making you look through the proverbial rose-tinteds and remember something that was so unimportant you had all but forgotten it. The super two have a habit of that; as if you needed reminding of a time when you had to eat all your veg and couldn’t just choose to eat none without any reason at all.
The Superfantastics kick out safe, inoffensive and almost long-forgotten fun. The only question is, what with syrupy cute indie pop having come and gone, is there any reason to bring it back?
Posted In Single Reviews, Dec 03 2009.
Words - Rich