Pop Music Supergroup - Tragically Tedious

Pop Music Supergroup

Tragically Tedious
self-released; 2019

​3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Pop Music Supergroup is a bunch of young college age guys attending University of Chicago and making music. It’s been fifteen years or so but having gone to college and playing music with guys who were also studying I can say it’s a big highlight of my life. It’s also a blast to rock out and that was the feeling I got when listening to most of the songs on Tragically Tedious. Even though according to their Bandcamp page the songs seem to be about unrequited love they appear to brush it off with ease. In fact that might be why they called the album Tragically Tedious.

The youthful, coming of age vibe really comes through on these songs. What I really liked though is that it avoids sounding like everything is so amazing and nostalgic like pop punk tends to do. These songs (especially the first half) and the energy they put out feels a little messy but inspired and resilient. It reflects a lot more accurately how you feel when you are young. There are complicated breakups, your emotions haven’t settled much since when your hormones kicked in and no one knows what the hell they are doing. Things are still a beautiful mess when you get older but that annoying thing people tend to call “love” doesn't strike as hard when it fails.

The album starts with “I'm Sorry If That Hurts Your Feelings” and the first couple chords are a little bit misleading. They sound mellow and melancholy but then oh man they rock the hell out. It’s a blend of sounding like Dropkick Murphys and The Who. It’s a just a thrill ride and the band rolls over anything that gets in their way.

The band is just getting started with “Green Light” which sounds like powerful 90’s indie rock. They continue to crush with “This Girl Better Be Worth It” which is fast and with great lyrics about young love.

They are some breathers with a song like “Styrofoam” which is slightly melancholy but they pull it off and displayed another side of their sound. The album a little unexpectedly mellows out with “Unrequited” (which has a different singer) and the very sparse closer “N.”

I have to admit I thought the first three songs were their strongest by more than a little. In fact I think that should be their sound and they should do an entire album like that. I liked the whole album but the more rocking songs melt your face off.

​This album made me a little nostalgic. Although I don’t want to go to college again or be young again these songs made me realize how much fun those days were. That being said this album will appeal to many more than just me. Whether you are in college now or just paid off your mortgage I think there will be something you can appreciate.

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