Superchunk

Superchunk started out as a punk band with a super-chewy center. The energy and attitude were pure punk, but little in singer Mac McCaughan’s voice scans as anything other than approachable—and it's even kind of plaintive. That mix would play out in different ways over the course of Superchunk’s heyday ’90s, but it never tipped too far to one side to make the other fall out of balance. As Superchunk's output slowed over the last decade, McCaughan has shifted his scratchy voice and songwriting focus over to side project Portastatic, which has since developed into a more full-fledged band. But after a nine-year break in between new albums, Superchunk steps back into the spotlight with Majesty Shredding. Majesty is a decidedly more-pop-than-punk side of Superchunk, with an assist from The Mountain Goats' John Darnielle on backing vocals.

Updated 09/07/2010