Superchunk: Majesty Shredding

Label: Merge

It feels kinda redundant to review this record. I mean, Superchunk practically wrote the book on how to be an indie band: how to stick to your guns, how to compromise here and there without selling out, how to come up with ten to twelve awesome songs every single time and how to age gracefully while holding fast to all of the above. It's some testament to the band's presence that it doesn't seem like it's been nine years since their last studio album. Regardless, Majesty Shredding finds the band stable and also rocking with renewed vigor, Mac now so experienced that his vocals can carry an entire tune ("Rosemarie"), whereas once upon a time they might've seemed a handicap of sorts. And these songs are so -- so full, wide-screen workouts of melody and roar...the way "Crossed Wires" hits its chorus in full stride, only to blast right through it; the fleet rush of "Rope Light" with those familiar old gnarled guitar leads. The shredding is indeed majestic, now more than 20 years on. (M.L. Thrope)