No Pocky for Kitty

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Like their far more famous contemporaries Nirvana, these North Carolina punks know that their raging, shrill guitar squalls go best when they're wrapping around catchy songs. Unlike Nirvana, though, Superchunk knows that a sense of humor is nice too--and they want to make sure you know they know it. "I put a stick in your spokes, now you better laugh at my jokes," they demand over the insistent clamor of "Seed Toss," the best song on Superchunk's best album, and one of the finest indie-rock punk albums of the entire decade. It rocks. It's catchy. It's funny. What else do you need to know? --David Cantwell --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Skip Steps 1 & 3
Seed Toss
Cast Iron
Tower
Punch Me Harder
Sprung A Leak
30 Xtra
Tie A Rope To The Back Of The Bus
Press
Sidewalk
Creek
Throwing Things

Customer Reviews:

Superchunk's Best.......2007-01-30

Superchunk to a huge lead forward with the release of 'No Pocky For Kitty'. While like their first album its clear what the band's musical influences are, on this album those influences don't dictate Superchunk's sound, they turn it into something if not unique then very individual. The other major difference from the their first album is the band's song writing craft. There's not any filler here, each song has great hooks and pop craft underneath the snarling crunching guitars. From 'Skip Steps 1 & 2' to 'Punch Me Harder' is a flawless opening volley that doesn't see the band repeating themselves or have a dull moment. Some credit must go to Steve Albini yes for making them sound so ferocious keeping their dense layered sound, but at the same time crystal clear. However had he produced (or engineered I think is the term he prefers) their first album is still wouldn't have been that great, but combined with the great songs Superchunk put together for 'No Pocky For Kitty' the album surpasses just being great and becomes classic. This albums needs to be blasted loudly from stereos (be careful of listening to it on headphones it can hurt your ears seriously) on warm summer afternoons, or anytime really, but warm summer afternoons seem to work best for me. If you only get one Superchunk album (and there's at least two others you ought to) get this one. Its the moment Superchunk arrived, full of life, an independent spirit and great tunes.

Still Holds Up.......2005-12-15

I listened to this in the car today, and it is still great.

My 3rd favorite of 5 SUPERCHUNK albums........2005-11-14

And it's the albums that are the strongest. I got most of the eps and each one is, to me, half great songs and half nothin' much songs. This albums, however, is very strong. Rather than petering out after about 5 songs I really like the first 11 of 12, and the first 9 even better. They hit me in the right groove, guitars that don't quit, a vocals I like, and music that has a strong indie rock sound. Lyrically, it's ok, though, I gotta admit, lyrics, in general, have little interest for me. At church when the band that sounds like SMASHING PUMPKINS has worship lyrics, then it hits it for me. Still, this album, if you want movin' sounds, that is, not slow stuff, fun occasional harmony and a real modern American sound, this is it. Sure, on occasion they slow down a bit, but usually this is driving music, perfect for the road really, if you ask me. chrisbct@hotmail.com

Indie Rock at its Finest.......2002-03-08

...We called it "melodic punk"--heartfelt, angst-filled, barely perceptible lyrics playing second-fiddle to driving baselines and distorted guitar waves creating a blissful cacophony of sweet melody. No Pocky is the venith of all an indie rock band can aspire to be on one album. As Nirvana walked on the sidewalk of music culture in the early '90s, Superchunk was Throwing Things down on them, from the treetops of DIY. If you don't understand, listen to the album and be re-born. Thanks for the flashback.

The Best Indie Pop/Punk Album Ever?.......2000-10-26

Superchunk's No Pocky For Kitty is THE definitive statement from Chapel Hill's finest musical export. This album along with their early 7"s that were collected on Tossing Seeds did as much to shape not just the Chapel Hill sound of the early to mid-90s but the sound of mid-90s college and "indie rock/pop" as well. I bought this album after seeing my first `Chunk show back in '94 on the recommendation from friends who were already into the `Chunk and it still is one of my all-time personal favorites. At this point Superchunk was still a loud band with a lot of punk in their poppy veins. The songs were nearly all uptempo and pogo friendly and the guitars were roaring. Mac's songs were still mostly cryptic vignettes and slightly romantic/slightly bitter twentysomething anthems. Opening with "Skip Steps 1 & 3" No Pocky comes roaring out of the gate and takes no prisoners on the anthemic two-song combo of "Seed Toss" and "Cast Iron". "Sprung a Leak" is a great song about confusion in relationships while the cryptic "Tie a Rope" is a pure shot of adrenaline that defies anyone to listen while sitting still. The album closes with the live favorite "Throwing Things", one of the best songs about having an unrequited crush. Personally, this is probably my all-time favorite album from the over 1500 CDs I own. Critically it as good a piece of anthemic indie guitar rock as anyone will probably ever make. One more thing, NEVER miss these guys live, if they are on (and they almost always are) they still deliver a show that will drop your jaw to the floor. ESSENTIAL.

Average customer rating:

The greatest power-pop album of the 90's
A must have for any fan of 90's indie rock
still

No Pocky for Kitty
Superchunk
Manufacturer: Matador Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

On the Mouth

ASIN: B0000036R3
Release Date: 1992-04-17

Tracks:

Skip Steps 1 & 3
Seed Toss
Cast Iron
Tower
Punch Me Harder
Sprung a Leak
30 Xtra
Tie a Rope to the Back of the Bus
Press
Sidewalk
Creek
Throwing Things

Amazon.com

Like their far more famous contemporaries Nirvana, these North Carolina punks know that their raging, shrill guitar squalls go best when they're wrapping around catchy songs. Unlike Nirvana, though, Superchunk knows that a sense of humor is nice too--and they want to make sure you know they know it. "I put a stick in your spokes, now you better laugh at my jokes," they demand over the insistent clamor of "Seed Toss," the best song on Superchunk's best album, and one of the finest indie-rock punk albums of the entire decade. It rocks. It's catchy. It's funny. What else do you need to know? --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

The greatest power-pop album of the 90's.......1999-04-11

#5 on my personal list of the 10 Best LPs of All Time, it's a pure, joyful, and masterful blast of hooks, chunky riffs, and velocity. Mac's voice, one of my favorites in rock, squeals like pent up kettle. Some criticize his lyrics as goofy, but take them as the clever, honest, self-aware insights that they are and you'll understand where's he's coming from. They've made some stellar music since this, but this is the one I keep coming back to. It's the perfect summertime soundtrack. And the that album closing climax to "Throwing Things?"...WOW!!

A must have for any fan of 90's indie rock.......1999-01-28

This is the record that made me love Superchunk. I played this CD so many times it started to skip and I had to buy a new copy. Pure, jump around the room, pop/punk with no attitude. Three essential singles (Cast Iron, Seed Toss, Throwing Things) and the rest are great as well. Pick up the rest of their albums and listen to them grow and mature into the great band they are today, but I guarantee you'll want to throw this one back in the CD player every once in a while.

still.......1998-10-17

From the moment it kicks in to the moment your stereo burns down, you'll find yourself trying to stop from putting down whatever you're doing and start knitting a big flag honoring Superchunk. It's got that old feeling you got when everything was new. I don't know what's their problem today, though.

Music:

Music

music

Music

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