Super Best Friends – Status Updates

Originally published on Alt Media

Far too often bands and musicians are scared offending someone that they steer clear of some the most pertinent issues in society, this is not the case with Canberra rockers Super Best Friends. Their album Status Updates is an overtly political offering that encapsulates Australia in a specific moment in time.

Singer/songwriter John Barrignton’s past as the political reporter for Triple J’s Hack news show comes as no surprise that the songs here tackle such a wide range of political and social issues. The group combines these with fast chugging garage-punk guitar riffs reminiscent of Frenzal Rhomb, Pennywise and early Green Day.

The drawbacks here are the lacking sense of rebellion often associated with punk-rock, this comes across more as a social or political commentary rather than a catalyst for change. Also because these songs are so intrinsically related to contemporary issues it may have a short shelf life.

*** 1/2

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