When Scarecrow and Tinmen entered the scene in 1998, they presented their pop sound in a unique way, but never really gave the listener something that really stood out to make them listen again and again, and they soon faded to the background. In June, 2000, the Tinmen have taken a few squeaks from their oil cans, strapped on their capes and jumped into the air. Unfortunately, however, although they're on the right track, their capes are too small.

Superhero is edgier and more electric, a more fitting and pleasing sound, but something isn't right. Although the music has improved, the lyrics are highly simplistic and sound forced and awkward. The opening track "Jesus is God," starts with a promising guitar and an "All-Star-United-ish" keyboard, but it isn't long before the lyrics and rhythm become too simplistic and rather basic.

The men definitely have fun with the album, most easily seen in band photos and heard on tracks like "The Reason" which almost borders on rap/rock before the pop chorus. While the songs do tend to be catchy musically, the lyrics are corny, as evidenced in this line from "Groovy," "Take a look at all that Jesus did-- I think that it's so groovy." It's creative music with not-so creative lyrics.

The second half of the record doesn't suffer the same illness as the first, but while providing interesting and entertaining songs, they fail to really grab the listener's attention.

With more electric, more guts, and less meat, Superhero is a risky sophomore effort, but doesn't offer much worthy to be dubbed "super."

- Review date: 5/29/00, written by John DiBiase