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LAST ONE PICKED (2002)
Allow me to warn you before you read any further. Unless you're in middle school, there is absolutely no reason to listen to this album. High schoolers and up, go read about Joy Electric. Middle schoolers, keep reading.Female-fronted rock band Superchic[k] impressed the world—Christian and non-Christian alike—with their debut album, Karaoke Superstars. Their songs have been used in a wide range of TV and film spots, from Legally Blonde and The Glass House to MTV's "The Real World," and rightfully so. Karaoke Superstars delivered a fresh, knockout sound to the music industry and covered a cornucopia of topics touched on by very few other artists. Now returning with Last One Picked, the edge of the knife is severely dulled.
The band still deals with current issues, but for the most part on a lower level than before. "High School" pokes fun at adults who treat life like the superlatives section of the yearbook, "One and Lonely" tackles the hurt and pain dwelling among the unpopular crowd, and a mockery of Superchic[k] themselves works its way through "Rock Star." While there's no doubt that Superchic[k] has potential youth ministry here, all of this is standard fare to anyone who's listened to their first disc.
Last One Picked also provides little musical satisfaction. Somewhat of a pop fetish finds its way into every track on the album, including the hardest rocker, "Real." The fiery guitar effects break some new ground for the band, but vocal distortion and usage of a drum machine detract from the experience. The punkish "Na Na" resembles a feminine Relient K but ultimately falls to shame through the appearance of a turntable and annoyance of the over-repetitive chorus. "Princes and Frogs" is a twangy, Beach Boys-like cut performed by the guys in the band, but sadly it adds nothing of value to the record and would have been more treasured as a B-side.
That isn't to say listeners will find the entire CD a disappointment. "High School" serves as a fun, reincarnate reminder of Karaoke Superstars, and acoustic ballads "I Belong to You" and "We All Fall" provide soothing relief from the random sound effects and turntable inserts by replacing them with piano accompaniment. Even more, lead singer Tricia Brock's vocals sound incredibly stellar in their natural form. Unfortunately, by the time these songs turn up on the disc (tracks nine and eleven), it's much too late to save Last One Picked from thriving mediocrity.
Lyrically and sonically alike, Last One Picked does nothing to push Superchic[k] further into listening bliss; in fact, the record jerks them a step or two back. Truthfully, a younger audience will receive their kicks while the more mature listeners will long for something more aesthetically pleasing. Superchic[k]'s ministry and heart for the oppressed are condoned, and they've found their niche in the industry, but great strides will have to be taken to appeal to a much broader range of individuals.
- Rick Foux
March 2003
March 2003
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