I must admit, I was surprised to receive this: I had no idea Shonen Knife were still going. On reading the PR bumph, I was equally surprised to learn just how long they had been going, having formed way back in 1981. Reading about them in Melody Maker in the mid 90s, I had assumed they were the latest hot band, who had exploded from nowhere and soon after disappeared back into oblivion or non-existence. I guess that's what touring as the support to Nirvana (on their 'Nevermind' tour) does for the public perception of a band.
The surprises pretty much end there, though. 'Super Group' - their 15th album in their 30 year career - is bursting with guitar-pop energy and a quirkiness that can only come from western punk and pop is reinterpreted through Japanese culture. Bouncy, spiky and excitable, Shonen Knife are good fun and entertaining in a pop-punk sort of way, and 'Super Group' is a fine album. But, as is the case with The Ramones, you probably don't need another fourteen of their albums.
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