The Superbeams

"Keep Talkin' Dunce" CDEP

self-released

Genre: rock, punk rock

June 2008

The Superbeams specialize in grueling rock music that expends punk abrasiveness on atypically plodding tempos. The result, an amateurish cross between Helmet and any given high school punk band, might have been successful had it exercised an ounce of originality. There isn't much to recommend here; between the spiritless chanting of "I Love" and the tired Bush-directed vitriol of "Big Dummy," this sounds as if it was as fun to record as it is to listen to - and that isn't a compliment. The two best tracks come last - "Graces" is a mildly interesting Killdozer replica, while the stoner garage rock of "Wizard" boasts some decidedly Blue Cheer influenced riffing. There is some promise here, but The Superbeams desperately need a retool before they record again.

the superbeams' myspace

45%

youuuuuuuutube!: wizard live

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 5 tracks, distributed by the band, released 2008]