The Bicycle Thieves
Artist: Superhero 
Label: SH1 Music
Length: 10/34:26

If I could imitate Rip Van Winkle, and somehow have taken a twenty year nap between the eighties and now, and the first disc I heard was The Bicycle Thieves, I’d be convinced that very little had changed in the musical landscape over that time.  And I’d be saying that with a huge smile on my face.

A throwback to the angry young idealistic bands of the '80’s, Superhero manages to remind me of every “new wave” or punk band of that era, including U2, The Clash, The Alarm, The Police, and The Ramones.  “The Cool Police” is a snide dismissal of those who would judge based on following the current trend.  “Emergenza” threatens that something big is impending, and it may not be a good omen.  

“The Great and the Good” contrasts style and substance: “just because it glitters doesn’t mean it’s gold.”  “Delta, PA” is heavier sonically, and is a call for unity and love.  “All You People” in an anthemic plea for peace. “Super-Intelligence” poses the question “Science didn’t provide all the answers, so now what do we do?”

If nostalgia is truly a twenty year cycle, that means a neo-Nirvana will be on the upcoming horizon.  Until that happens, I’ll be enjoying the re-emergence of the earnest, rebel with a cause bands such as Superhero.  It’s not often a band new to me will make me hunt down their previous releases, but in this case, I’m already working on it.

Brian A. Smith
19 April 2009