Suicide – American Supreme

Well, I can't say that I totally understand what Suicide were going for here, and in my estimation it's not a particularly strong final album...but "American Supreme" is actually pretty consistent. I don't like all of it, but there's nothing especially odd about that. The album's worst offense is that it goes on a little too long; a couple of tracks could have been shaved off the final product without any loss of effect. Some of the more frenetic pieces--like 'Swearin' to the Flag' and 'I Don't Know'--are very good, while the mournful 'Misery Train' is, despite the '90s dance trappings, an absolute classic in the Suicide tradition. (Play it back to back with 'I Remember' or 'Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne' if you don't believe me.)

After the bemused reception that "Why Be Blue?" had received a decade earlier, maybe Rev and Vega were thinking, "Hey, if you thought that was a weird album, get a load of this one!" Or maybe "American Supreme" just reflects what they were listening to at the time. I saw them when they were touring behind this album (in January 2003, at the Earl in Atlanta), and it was an interesting set: five brand-new songs with 'Ghost Rider' and 'Dream Baby Dream' thrown in for good measure. (Talked to them after the show, too; they were nice, down-to-earth guys and it was truly a pleasure to meet them.)

Very little here is of Suicide's typical electronic menace - traces of 'broken down Farfisa organ' are now replaced with finer production touches but don't be fooled by the nature of this recording.

Isn't it fascinating how albums like this one, where main vocals sound like an irritating drone, can put so much soul into it, unlike many with more prolific singing constantly lack substance.... Suicide are chart-unfriendly to be sure and expecting 'American Supreme' (or any such adventure in their respect) to take over standard mainstream is strainght zero level - of course, this was never their aim however their derranged sound sex-appeal prove they haven't lost a bit of their essential energy.

One of the truly wicked albums at the start of the new century - and Suicide are screaming their heads off for it is definitely not changing for the better. The title, the themes they're working out - perverse but true. Sick but amazing!