Album review by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
After 22 years, Adelaide rockers, The Superjesus, have released a new self-titled rock album of ten super tight songs. The Superjesus is the fourth album from the band and the first since 2003’s Rock Music. This album is a beautifully conceived and musically adventurous rock album that has lyrical integrity in its songcraft and guitar melodies at its core. The album has the thematic pull between light and dark as reflected and refracted by the song titles and the songfulness of Sarah McLeod and Stuart Rudd.
The album The Superjesus opens with a short burst of drums before a guitar riff from Cameron Blokland comes over the top and the song ‘Starlight’ is underway with a big guitar solo. It is a huge opening, with its hooky guitar riff and drum rhythm pulling the listener into a mid-tempo vocal delivery from Sarah McLeod before a huge chorus swells and it is the first highlight of the album. There is a lot going on here with guitar solos, an acoustic guitar underpinning the Sarah McLeod’s vocals that you can really hear near the end of the song. The mature song writing and control of instrumentation in ‘Starlight’ is carved into bones and the DNA of the band.
The following song ‘We Won’t Let Go Until It’s Over’ starts with chiming guitars and has an up-tempo driving drum beat delivered by Murray Sheridan and Stuart Rudd’s insistent bass lines. Sarah McLeod’s rock vocals soar in this song. Then, the lovely pulsing synths bring in the driving rock guitar of ‘Romance’ and the song is the second highlight of the album. The gritty rock vocals and a crunchy groove that rocks along and the song has a nostalgic feel.
‘Money (We Are Only In It For Love)’ is a straight-up rock song with big drums, and grungy electric guitars and a huge singalong chorus. I can see this song becoming a huge live favourite. The song ‘Diamonds’ is a lovely power ballad and the third highlight of the album. The piano introduction sweeps you into the song, but it’s from here that it really glistens as Sarah McLeod’s vocals and the lyrics become the focal point. It is followed by ‘Something Good’ is a radio-friendly rock track with a steady drum beat and a chorus that will have the crowd singing along all night.
The fourth highlight of the album is the superb ‘Loneliness Is The New Black’ with its gently strummed acoustic guitars and a lovely melody. The instrumentation frames the fantastic lyrics. The vocal interplay between Sarah McLeod and Stuart Rudd really sets up the beauty in the song. This song is the sound of songwriters willing to explore ideas outside of their normal rock sphere. It is the best song on the album.
Then, it’s all return to rock land for the up-tempo ‘Gangbusters’. It is a classic rock dance song with a big fat bassline and a catchy chorus and an incredible raspy, and then straight, vocal performance from Sarah McLeod. The following is the great cover of Generation X’s ‘Dancing With Myself’ and its fun. And, might be better than the original as you can actually hear the lyrics. Too much fun!
The album closes with the hard-hitting ‘Lights Out’ and it has a glorious guitar riff to start until the vocals bring in the restraint. It’s a rock stomp showcasing the incredible bass and drum rhythms of The Superjesus music. It’s a passionate ending embedded in sadness and reflection.
The Superjesus have delivered an outstanding and economical album of rock songs bathed in light and shade.
THE SUPERJESUS – THE ALBUM TOUR
Friday June 6 The Crowbar, Sydney
Saturday June 7 Avalon RSL, Avalon
Friday June 13 The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Saturday June 14 Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads
Friday June 20 The Crowbar, Brisbane
Saturday June 21 Norton Music Factory, Sunshine Coast
Thursday July 3 Carine Galdes Tavern, Duncraig
Friday July 4 The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Saturday July 5 The Bridgeway, Adelaide
Tickets on sale now – head to thesuperjesus.com
