Rock What You Got

Fans know what to expect from Superchick: female-fronted rock that hits you over the head with themes of self-empowerment (lest you doubt, try to name a time when you have seen lead vocalist Tricia Brock not wielding a megaphone). That's not necessarily a bad thing, particularly when the amps are turned to overdrive and the sound is infused with catchy pop electronica, as is the case on the band's fourth album. Rock What You Got offers few surprises but lots of fun. Beauty from Pain, their previous album, delved into heartaches of all sizes and shapes. Now seemingly on the mend, the band's style and lyrics once again have a peppy, young vibe that aims squarely at pre-teens, especially...you guessed it...pre-teen girls. The guitars are relentless and the bass blasts heavier than ever, but the air remains positive. Despite the strength of individual songs, there is no cohesive core to unite them. The album sounds rather like it was crafted for the iPod generation, one download at a time. Without a tangible theme, the album loses a bit of its vigor and begins to feel all too familiar. This in spite of the fact that it barely runs half-an-hour from start to finish. If you enjoy downloading, though, don't miss the title track, the hauntingly airy "Breathe," and guitarist Dave Ghazarian's indulgently beautiful guitar solo at the end.