Falling In Reverse Does A Super Job

The great escape from Nowheresville USA is the featured theme for Falling In Reverse's new single "Superhero". In the video three boys are on a mission to leave suburbia behind. The desperation in lead vocalist Ronnie Radke's voice begs for sweet relief and release. He doesn't exactly strike me as the most optimistic dude who ever lived as lyrics like "And you're always running with nowhere to go" prove. This track opens with a haunting keyboard refrain and group chorus that lets us know heavy waters loom up ahead. The drumming from Chris Kamrada goes straight for the heart and succeeds at nailing its intended target You can smell the blood in the water just like those sharks you've heard about so often. There's no speed limit applied here which makes Ronnie's voiced angst that much more poignant and fearsome. The D chord sends icicles through our collective veins. Zakk Sandler's bass demands that you show it the proper respect because asses will be kicked if you don't. The mud on those tires get you right in the trousers. Gritty fret work throughout which only ratchets up the urgency meter. At the bridge Christian Thompson's guitar scorches a hole in your gut and then leaves you to rot. It's one of the key components that allows "Superhero" far more lasting power in the ears than it has a right to demand from its listeners. Full steam ahead, no apologies provided. Derek Jones isn't too shabby in the rhythm guitar department. Barreling through like a bull in a china shop he defines intensity. The chorus falls nothing shy of snazzy. Radical acceptance of reality abounds in Ronnie's admission that "I don't wanna be a superhero cause I can't save the world. So I'm never gonna get the girl. I just wanna do better. Superhero. "Cause I can't save myself much less somebody else so I gotta do better." You want to reach out and give him a hug but he's so far down in the dumps you wonder what good that would actually do. For now we'll have to settle for Ronnie's unvarnished anguish as the window to this tortured artist's soul. "Superhero" represents the latest song romanticizing throwing in the towel and letting Fate have its way with you. As long as there are no way out situations hounding people in this world of ours there will always be a place for songs like "Superhero." Adversity breeds tunes about adversity and the human toll exacted by such hardship. I respect the urgency Falling In Reverse brings to the table. It makes for a listening experience that chills the bones and stops the heart. There's a good reason why Fslling In Reverse has lasted nine years. The material on display exemplifies what next generation rock's possibilities could and should be about.