The Superweaks
Better Heavens
(Lame-O Records)
The Superweaks return with their second full-length and their third release with Philly Alt. powerhouse Lame-O Records. The band had started out as a musical collective known as The Weaks, but solidified into a permanent band and appended the prefix “Super” with the release of their debut LP Bad Year. Whatever the name, or lineup, The Superweaks are led by dual front men Evan Bernard and Chris “Doc Bag” Baglivo who excel at crafting superb hooks and brain-searing riffs.
Their previous record led to touring opportunities with Brand New and The Get Up Kids, so it could have been tempting to double down on the “Heavy Weezer” sound that typified Bad Year. While thick distortion and power pop make up the meat of Better Heavens, there are moments throughout that show how much deeper Bernard and Baglivo can dig.
The album kicks off with exemplary Pop Rock through the semi-posi anthem of “Paralyzed” which is led by Baglivo’s Cuomo-esque voice though the lyrics and overall vibe hearken more to Piebald’s “Simple Plan” with the slightly sardonic encouragement to “get off your ass and do something you enjoy.” Overall, The Superweaks seem more driven by melody and amperage more than poetry, but the songwriting duo put a fair bit of effort into crafting memorable and meaningful lyrics. The title-track, led by Bernard, slips into a more somber mood, detailing seasonal depression from a second person perspective. “Run Away” stomps and sways–alternating big riffs and palm muted verses–before ripping out a killer solo and sliding into a powerful closing reprise of it’s signature riff. “Glowing” carries on the record’s upbeat melancholy and delivers a magnificent chorus backed by a vocal harmony by Baglivo that would have been right at home on one of Fleetwood Mac’s better records. “Heavy Dreams” pulls the band down into a cavern of reverb as one meaty, Hum-like riff bends back and forth through the waves of sound and angelic backing vocals. Similar backing vocal arrangements, along with droning synths pop up on “Sooner or Later” which is one of the stronger departures from the band’s core sound.
The Superweaks pulls off the kind of balancing act that most bands can only dream of without coming across at all sloppy. Bernard and Baglivo, along with third guitarist Andrew Wilson, drummer Mikey Tashjian and the dearly departed Corey Bernard–incidentally Evan’s brother and whose artwork graces the album’s cover–pull at multiple distinct threads throughout that smartly wind around each other. The sequencing is worth mentioning as the synth leads of “I’ll See Myself Out” and “Oh God (We’re All So Miserable Now)” bookend the more ethereal “Heavy Dreams” and “Sooner or Later” while latter tracks like “Diamond Mind” and “Junkie’s Gone to Heaven” carefully split the difference between introspection and bubble gum pop.
Better Heavens introduces stellar new dimensions to the band, takes leaps of faith here and there into new sounds, and processes grief and sadness in remarkably upbeat ways. It’s a beautiful dedication to their band mate and brother Corey Bernard who passed earlier this year.
Purchase Better Heavens here: Physical | Digital
