From the May 28, 2002 issue of C-Ville
The Marzaks, Superhuman
Right at that unlikely edge where comic book pop meets old time music,
the
Marzaks have erected a monument to silliness. Superhuman is an utterly
gratifying experiment in joke pop and sacre bleu-grass, featuring mandolins,
cellos, fiddles, drums, dumb vocals and killer harmonies. Much respect.
Not content to have a record overflowing with funny excursions into
groove-grass and sillipop, Superhuman affords the Marzaks ample opportunity
to
reveal their considerable musical proficiency, and high quality playing
abounds.
Add to this a relentless journey into the funny pages of acoustic music,
and you've
got a true humdinger. Word is the band performs fully pseudonymed in their
own
special super costumes. Could they be any cooler? I'm doubtful.
Featuring a slew of unlikely regional superzeros, like Draw The Kitten's
wildwoman fiddleress Cathy Monnes and Irish percussion prodigy Paddy League,
the Marzaks gives a crew from diverse backgrounds a testing zone for something
the Mothers of Invention might have looked upon with fondness.
From the first spin of the title track and it's glorious refrain, "Now
that I'm
superhuman, I can do anything/but I can't make you fall in love with me,"
to
refreshing little ditties like "She Likes To Bite," it is clear that Superhuman
is
destined for cult classic status. So simple, so stupid, and so brilliant.
Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Get Superhuman and enjoy some
cool-ass
summer music for superpeople with senses of humor.
-Cripsy Duck