Chapel Hill indie rockers’ fourth studio album remastered! Arguably, this is one of the most pivotal records Merge has ever released. Sure, it doesnt have nearly the same level of fame as In The Aeroplane Over The Sea or Funeral, but neither of those records wouldve been released on the label if not for Foolish. The reason for this is that, at its core, this is a breakup record between the two labels founders and members of SuperchunkMac McCaughan and Laura Ballance, the latter of whoms self-portrait dons the album cover. While much more amicable than the interpersonal splits of Fleetwood Mac or Abba, the album and subsequent tour were a critical point in which both the band and the label could easily have ended. Produced by Brian Paulson (Slints Spiderland) in Steve Albinis studio, this album includes fan-favorites Driveway to Driveway and Like a Fool. 12 tracks on black vinyl.

• North Carolina indie rock band’s fourth studio album, includes ‘Driveway To Driveway’ + ‘Like A Fool’
• black vinyl pressing
• remastered sound
• printed liner note insert
• digital download included
• music label:Merge Records 2021

reviewed by SHH! 11/2021

Their fourth full-length album (and their first full-length for Merge), often lauded and criticized for shifts in mood, tempo, and evening wear.

Peter Margasak, the man who booked the first Superchunk show in Chicago, writes: When the band recordedFoolishwith Brian Paulson up in Minneapolis, they were actually more concerned with making a great record than savvy biz prognostication. And, indeed,Foolishstands as one of the bands greatest accomplishments, a blast of songwriting growth (dare I say maturation?) that arrived without taking the bands trademark energy and power as a casualty. Paulson, who mixed the album with the band at Steve Albini’s home studio in Chicago, brought clarity to Superchunk’s roar, particularly to the buzzsaw blur of the guitar wail laid out by Jim Wilbur and Mac McCaughan, but it was the songs that ultimately knocked everyone flatand many of them remain the most ubiquitous and adored items in the foursomes repertoire.

Tracklist:

1 Like a Fool
2 The First Part
3 Water Wings
4 Driveway to Driveway
5 Saving My Ticket
6 Kicked In
7 Why Do You Have to Put a Date on Everything
8 Without Blinking
9 Keeping Track
10 Revelations
11 Stretched Out
12 In a Stage Whisper