The most popular Christian ska band around is back with their third horn-poppin' jumpfest for the kids. Not being familiar with either of the Supertones' previous albums, I thought I'd go straight to their main audience and ask them what they thought. So I got my 8 and 10 year-old cousins to quit skateboarding for a few seconds and answer some questions about the album:
Me: What do you think about the new Supertones album?
Mikee (8 yrs.): Um...they got a new guitar player, and he's not as good.
Me: Why not?
Mikee: I don't know.
Me: How about the songs?
Mikee: They're better than the last one.
Me: Why?
Mikee: I don't know.
Ryan (10 yrs.): I like it more than Supertones Strike Back... it had slower songs. Chase the Sun is good!
Me: Do they have more or less horns?
Mikee: The same.
Ryan: They have way more horns!
Me: What do they sing about?
Mikee: I don't know. Except that on the other ones they sing about the same things a lot and they don't do that on this one.
Ryan: Uh, I don't know.
Me: Okay then. Run along. Watch out for those cars in the street.
That should be more information than the typical Supertones fan needs to make a buying decision. All hope is not lost for the lyrical impact, though. Mikee and Ryan's 13 year-old brother Kyle showed sharper observation skills: "It's all worship songs, basically." I think in pre-teen speak that means they talk to or about the Lord, God, or Jesus in just about every song, which they do.
Usually, the hearing of ska causes much weeping and gnashing of teeth on my part, but I took a listen anyway. It seems more streamlined and friendly than the other ska I've heard; this is undoubtedly pop music meant for unchallenging listening and youth group sing-alongs. Only a few tracks rock out; most take the less aggro, no-distortion route. The variety might surprise, from the total rap of the title track to the western-flavored acoustic balladry of "Old Friend" to the reggae stylings of "Hallelujah" and "Away From You" to the semi-hardcore toughness of "Grounded" to the cool surf guitar and '60s organ of the instrumental "Revolution." Not to mention the borrowing of the main riff from Metallica's "Damage, Inc." for the intro to "Fade Away"--the best ten seconds on the album.
The lyrics range from insipid pre-school cheerleading ("through C-H-R-I-S-T...we are bound to win") to a well-needed jab at the American Church's worldliness in contrast with Christians in China:
Poor men bound in persecution,
God's their portion everyday.
But we don't know anybody
who lives that way.
There the church grows stronger,
under politics and chains and whips...
Health and wealth, we help ourselves,
and let them play the hand
that they've been dealt.
Health and wealth, indulge ourselves,
a big fat belly underneath our belts...
We'll never understand
the Christ they've felt...
(from "Health and Wealth")
There you have it. The new Supertones album, a must-purchase for fans and a mixed bag for newcomers.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #77Reviewed by Amanda NelsonIt's hard not to like the O.C. Supertones' new album, Chase the Sun. There is a lot of talent between these six guys. The Supertones made this new album minus one trumpet; although Daniel Spencer, trombone, and Darren Mettler, trumpet, manage to hold their own just fine. Have these guys been to the islands recently? There is a kind of Caribbean feel, especially in the song "Away From You."…Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by Joel ThomasAfter no new studio material being released in 1998, the Orange County Supertones' third album, Chase the Sun, came out February 23. While the Strike Back album had its moments and sold well, Chase the Sun displays what many fans knew the Supertones had the potential to do. If you are expecting an average, stereotypical third-wave ska album in the vein of Strike Back, be ready to be surprised.…Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco Povervest"1999 and the stakes is high. Our options have come down to either we do or die." Once the Supertones were described as skacore but skarock would fit them better now because half of the songs rock, like One Voice, the opening track from which I quoted. Well, the stakes is high indeed with all the ska-bands popping up. But the Supertones have enough to offer to stay prominent in the popular…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Corey WeltonDon't get me wrong. I like the Supertones. Really, I do. They've got great energy, coupled with an equally excellent message. Perhaps it's just the fact that I liked their first album so much that everything afterwards has been a disappointment. Or perhaps my ska tastes have migrated towards a slightly different flavor of ska. Maybe some of both. In any case, I can't complain that this is a bad…Similar sounding releases
1999The ChinkeesPeace Through Music
1999Common RiderLast Wave Rockers
2000Five Iron FrenzyAll the Hype That Money Can Buy
1998The DingeesArmageddon Massive
1998BuckBuck
1999GodrocketSaved!More from The O.C. Supertones
2005Faith of a Child
1996Adventures of The O.C. Supertones
1997Supertones Strike Back
2002Hi-Fi Revival
2000Loud and Clear
1998At the Movies!
