CD Review: Never Give Up - Supernatural

by Rick Landers.

Supernatural’s second outing, Never Give Up offers up catchy hooks that will have you singing along with most of the tracks the first time you load it. There’s a familiarity of melodic strengths reminiscent of music past, but throughout, the group keeps things fresh and uniquely their own and show a talent for crafting good music.

Lead vocalist, Peter Wolf, and the other half of Supernatural, Tom Kraemer, push their digital talents through cyberspace in this international collaborative work. Wolf works out of the U.S. and Kraemer sits in Germany tossing and retrieving melodies, lyrics, and production concepts between one another until they feel they’ve created a bit of magic.

Opening up with “Truth” Supernatural pushes along with a slow deliberate percussive drive that gives the tune a solid platform to allow the fine tenor qualities of Wolf a strong foundation to carry the song with his yearning call for a cherished value. The chorus gives the song some bulk before cascading back to Wolf’s singular plaintive call for truth, with a capital “T”.

Upbeat “Hold On” is a call to stand steady in spite of life’s challenges that leads into the CD's title track “Never Give Up”. Both tunes are songs of optimism, prompting us to get a grip and take charge of our lives. “Never Give Up” takes it all a step further with a “coming of age” feel to it that would fit nicely as an inspirational movie theme.

A bit more intriguing is “How” with some tighter and punchier riffs and the pointed questioning of a lover’s intentions. Wolf and Kraemer are at their best with some interesting transitions, off-beat percussion, nice guitar work, and more focused vocals by Wolf. The track gives us a better sense of where their collaboration can lead by exploring more esoteric fare.

The opening vocal for “Too Far” will have you thinking that Dewey Bunnell, lead singer for the ‘70s trio America, has gotten off his nameless horse and jumped on this CD. But it’s Peter Wolf who serves up that ‘70s sound and it’s apparent that the Supernatural team gets stoked on that classic California vibe. You'll dig this tune if you hanker for that early age of timeless innocence.

The lads pull Peter’s vocals forward a bit on “Encryption” to good effect before breaking into harmony, keeping the flow of easy to sing along songs rolling. “Encryption” could use some grit and begs for some saxophone to kick in to give the tune rougher edges. Still, Supernatural does a fine job laying down the track and keeping things stoked.

“This Time” and “Welcome”, and “Hero” all offer similar straightforward tunes that are easy listening, with the latter another “coming of age” tune that could as likely be planted in a movie or TV commercial as in an MP3 player.

The bubble bursts on the frantic “Bubble” that doesn’t carry its weight as well as the other tracks. The vocal sounds strained and the production pushed over the top with an overall mechanical feel to it. But then Wolf and Kraemer end the album and recover with a touching ballad, “Down to the Wire” where Wolf is in excellent vocal form, the melody sweet and the lyrics caress in what’s my favorite of the bunch.

Supernatural’s on my “watch list” to see what’s next for them. Never Give Up offers a set that’s easy on the ear. From the first song, you’ll get caught up and start humming along or joining in on chorus. That’s enough to make this CD worth getting and plopping it in your car’s player for a long distance drive.

CD Title: Never Give Up
Artist: Supernatural
Label: Supernatural – 2007

Tracks
1. Truth
2. Hold On
3. Never Give Up
4. How
5. Too Far
6. Encryption
7. This Time
8. Welcome
9. Hero
10. Bubble
11. Down the Wire

Related Links
CD Baby - Supernatural

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