Superhero - Things We Need For the Journey

Superhero have become good friends of mine over the years. The band have been on the Battle For Your Soul Tour for what seems like decades now, and I have had the pleasure of opening for them on numerous occasions. Quite a few of the songs that make up this new album have formed staple parts of the live sets I've heard over the last couple of years, and I'm happy to report that all have made a smooth transition to the studio, emerging as what is Superhero's best album to date by far*

As a band, Superhero have changed much since the days of being signed to Fierce Distribution here in the UK. A strong sense of purpose and clear evangelistic mission has come to the fore in the last few years - an exciting development in a British Christian music scene seemingly devoid of vitality and vision in recent times. To this point though, for me, Superhero's albums since their seminal self-titled label debut hadn't lived up to the panache and vibe of their live outings. This all changes here.

Immediately on opener, "Human", things become clear. This is going to be a very good record indeed, full of nuance and craft. It will be expertly mixed by the masterful Julian Kindred, and most of all, Tim Cheshire really really means more than you could possibly know everything you will hear him sing hereafter. It is the passion in Cheshire's voice which most directly jumps out at you. The best he's sounded for years, his words draw you in and leave you tapping, humming, nodding, praying, perhaps even shouting along. Backed by his wonderfully agile and hirsute band, each of the nine songs which follow give Chesh the opportunity to lay out a manifesto for change, not just of the music scene, but of lives and souls.

"We Will Not Forget" builds from a calm beginning to an epic conclusion, while the title track, a live favourite of mine for some time now, is simply wonderful, with a gargantuan riff from Gav McGrath propelling it along. "No Surrender", with it's bold refrain of "don't give in to what the enemy wants" as a call to arms, along with some cool keys effects, and perhaps even a touch of brass, is another great, as is "Let's Kill Klaatu (what is that song about?!), while rollicking closer "Graduation Day" has you reaching for the repeat button as it draws to a cacophonous close.

I haven't commented on every song. I could have. They're all great. They could all be singles. None of them feature cheesy Christian nonsense lyrics. All of them leave you humming, smiling, and thinking about life and faith. Job done.

Best of all, it's fantastic to finally have an album from an unashamedly Christian British band that doesn't need to be qualified or apologised for before it can be played to friends, be they Christian or not. This is an album which sets a new standard for independent British bands.

I am biased, these guys are friends of mine, but this is a band with a mission, a sound, and a bunch of songs, that it is very easy to get behind and support. Do it today.

*In my humble opinion.


Buy the album here