Industry Giants

iTunes Review

If K-Tel ever compiled power pop hits of the ‘90s, Superdrag’s “Sucked Out” from 1996’s Regretfully Yours would be right up there with Matthew Sweet’s “Girlfriend” and Weezer’s “Buddy Holly.” The chorus of “Sucked Out” had frontman John Davis crooning, “Who sucked out the feeeling?!?” Industry Giants overflows with feeling and is the first time Superdrag has recorded with their original lineup in 11 years. It opens with “Slow to Anger,” a hard-rocking anthem loaded with more barbed hooks than a tackle box. With heavy driving guitars and quirky melodies, you can both headbang and pogo to this one. But Davis also still pens thoughtful ballads like the heady “Live and Breathe,” and his affinity for George Harrison’s eastern influenced textures and John Lennon’s quest for the perfect melody come together beautifully on “Everything’ll Be Alright.” The innovative “Aspartame” successfully experiments with the Clash’s penchant for dabbling in reggae rooted breaks. By the end of the album, Industry Giants sounds less like a comeback and more like four guys making the record they’ve always wanted.