On the Mouth (Remastered)

As one of the 1990’s most significant “indie rock” bands, Superchunk established melody within the bounds of raw, untamed aggression. They are to the ‘90s what Hüsker Dü were to the ‘80s. Mac McCaughan’s vocals are never pretty, but they’re emotionally true and quite powerful. They perfectly reflect the angst in the music as guitar chords churn in dissatisfaction. “From the Curve,” “For Tension,” “New Low” and “I Guess I Remembered It Wrong” sound like schoolyard taunts set to music where the band is out to demolish anyone in its path. Their idea of slowing down is “Swallow That” where the guitars mute just enough to create a sneaking tension. The guitars expand into deeper layers for the churn and drag of “The Question Is How Fast.” “Trash Heap” suggests a perverse cross between girl-group pop and the grunge scene then bleeding through everything. By the time the band finally slows down for the finale, “The Only Piece That You Get,” it sounds like it’s because they’ve finally run out of juice for the amplifier.