The Supersonics’ Rock ‘n Roll Revival on ‘Heads Up’

Photo: Shamik Bag

[easyreview cat1title = “Heads Up” cat1rating = 3.5 cat1detail = “Self-released”]

‘Heads Up’ Album Artwork

“I think it’s time to draw a line/Leave the past behind, look for another good sign,” sings The Supersonics frontman Ananda Sen on “Come Around,” one of his many personal reflections on their second album, Heads Up. The Kolkata rockers reformed in 2012 after initially disbanding in 2010, scrapped all their old songs and started fresh on Heads Up with producer Miti Adhikari.

The sound of Heads Up is upbeat and unabashedly rock ”˜n roll. The band start out with songs such as “Come Around” and “Strawberry,” shining examples of psychedelic rock meets rock ’n roll and deliver the cheeriest tune in “Even When The Sun Don’t Shine.” Sen, guitarist Rohan Ganguli and bassist Nitin Mani get groovy on “Even When The Sun Don’t Shine,” which bears the stamp of keyboardist Vivek Nair, from Mumbai pop rockers The Mavyns. The Supersonics uncannily recall Mavyns. Parts of Heads Up is similar to the Mumbai band’s album From the Tree of No Ledge, released in 2012, with clean cut, jumpy pop rock, including the buzzy distorted riffs on the dance rock “On The Floor.” The dreamy, psychedelic sound returns on “Why Do I?” which the band has been performing at gigs all of last year.

Nair returns on the album’s title track and closing song, “Heads Up,” which is the most mellow track on the album. Heads Up is the best prescription upper we’d recommend from a band and we’re not going to stop popping this one anytime soon.

Key tracks: “Come Around,” “Even When The Sun Don’t Shine”

This review appeared in the August 2014 issue of ROLLING STONE India.

Watch the video for “Into The Dark.” Buy Heads Up on OKListen.