‘For The Record’: Superbean’s ‘S**t Show’

Welcome to another new edition of "For The Record." In this edition, we focus on an album by Superbean titled "S**t Show.” For those readers not yet in the know, Superbean is a Los Angeles-based power pop trio.

Superbean’s signature sound is a blend of music from different decades. It is a musical mashup of multiple genres (including pop, rock, and punk) and influences from The Monkees to The Jam. Once known as Bean in the 1990s, the new and improved Superbean consists of Steve Moramarco (guitar and vocals), Freddie Olivia (bass and vocals), and Rick Woodard (drums).

Track by track

This 12-track disc rocks from the start with “Marisol.” The song opens with an attention-grabbing guitar riff. It’s an energetic, punk-punched piece about a guy’s fascination with a 17-year-old beauty who works at the local 99-cent store.

The second selection is “Somewhere” which quite quickly identifies and solidifies the tuneful trio’s signature sound. It’s quickly followed by “F**k Youth” which is a fun “trashing of today’s youth and perhaps also those who do the trashing. It clearly indicates, however, that adulthood doesn’t prevent people from rockin’.

“Ponquogue Beach” reveals even more of the band’s sense of humor. This pumping, punk-tinged track keeps things moving well beyond the clever title.

The next number, “Been There” which, complete with a touch of surf punk, is a song that only a seasoned, experienced band could pull off without sounding presumptuous or jaded.

“Hologirl” is a slightly sad but enjoyable futuristic tech song that reflects on our own society. The blunt, darkly humorous title song perhaps all too quickly overshadows it.

The song poses an all-too-often asked question about the state of affairs in both the country and in truth the world.

“Strewn by You” continues the playful direction of the album with a song sure to appeal to anyone who has been in one too many bad relationships. “Radish Rose” is a song that simply must be great with a live audience and has some interesting uncredited piano in there to boot.

This leads to “Restaurant Popcorn” which continues the band’s consistency in terms of music and ability to entertain.

Also included here is “Pack Up Your Stuff.” The music continues to be both familiar and fun with a message that is new but nearly universal to anyone who has led a less than perfect life. The closing cut, “Satan, Lend Me a Dollar,” is yet one final example of the band’s capabilities with lyrics written specifically for anyone who missed the point of the previous pieces.

For the record

For the record, this release has some solid snark and a pop-punk punch that is made for hip clubs, college radio shows, and for anyone who is seeking something new and untouched by the corporate world. So grab your wallet, “Pack Up Your Stuff” and check out Superbean’s "S**t Show.”