Name: Acoustic Foolish
Brand: Superchunk

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MRG642LP

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: Yes

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2019-09-13

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Cargo

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

673855064215

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Superchunk

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

Merge Records

Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. Founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan, it started as a platform to release music from their band Superchunk and their friends' creations. Over the years, Merge Records has grown to include talented artists from all over the world, with some of their records even reaching the top of the Billboard music charts.
With its headquarters nestled in Durham, North Carolina, Merge Records has become a renowned name in the music industry. The label was established by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan back in 1989 with a vision to share their own musical endeavors as well as support fellow musicians within their circle.
What began as a humble endeavor quickly flourished into something much greater. Today, Merge Records boasts an impressive roster of artists spanning various genres and backgrounds. From indie rock to experimental pop, *Superchunk* paved the way for other talented musicians to join forces under this esteemed label's umbrella.

Superchunk is an American indie-rock band hailing from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Formed in 1989, the band consists of Mac McCaughan on vocals and guitar, Jim Wilbur on guitar, Laura Ballance on bass (with Jason Narducy replacing her as the live/touring bass player since 2013), and Jon Wurster on drums. Known for their energetic performances and catchy melodies, Superchunk has been a staple in the indie-rock scene for over three decades.

With their unique blend of punk rock and pop sensibilities, Superchunk has garnered a dedicated fanbase worldwide. Their music is characterized by McCaughan's distinct vocals and heartfelt lyrics, accompanied by Wilbur's melodic guitar riffs and Ballance's driving basslines. Wurster's powerful drumming adds depth to their sound, creating a dynamic musical experience.

Throughout their career, Superchunk has released numerous critically acclaimed albums, including "No Pocky for Kitty," "Foolish," and "I Hate Music." Their music embodies the spirit of independence and resilience that defines the indie-rock genre. Whether performing live or recording in the studio, Superchunk continues to captivate audiences with their infectious energy and timeless sound.

Originally released in 1996, Foolish turns 25 in 2019. Special 25th anniversary edition LP.

From Mac McCaughan: Our original idea for an all-acoustic album was for it to be a selection of songs from all our albums, played in the style of an acoustic performance in a record store or a radio station, which we have done quite a bit of over the years (and documented on the first of our Clambake series in 2001). But with 2019 being the 25th anniversary of the Foolish album, it seemed weirder and more interesting to record an acoustic version of one whole album. I didn’t want this to sound like “acoustic demos recorded 25 years after the fact” or a band trying to “rock out” except on acoustic guitars, though to be fair we do some rocking out. Once we got into the process of learning how to play the songs on acoustic guitars—some of which we had never performed at all—it made sense to make this record its own thing altogether. When Foolish came out, people kind of freaked out that all the guitar sounds weren’t as distorted as they had been, and it was treated as a radical departure from what we had been doing. Which is funny listening to the original album now because it pretty much sounds like our other records. But I started thinking about the acoustic version of the album as “what Foolish would have sounded like if it were as different as people acted like it was.” So—we have guests, we have strings, we have piano, we have a saxophone! The songs themselves, extracted from the drama of the moment and what people wanted to write about then, are more applicable to Real Life than I thought they would be. Without the embarrassing angst of the 25-year-old, they are just songs about transitions, holding grudges or trying not to, letting go of things that aren’t healthy, moving through difficult situations and relationships and trying to be “normal” in the course of all that, even though there’s no such thing. We are lucky to have Allison Crutchfield, Matt Douglas, Peter Holsapple, Owen Pallett, and Jenn Wasner lend their great talents to the record and also lucky that Jon has an arsenal of small bells and a vibraslap.

Acoustic Foolish recorded live by John Plymale at Overdub Lane Strings by Owen Pallett on Like a Fool and In a Stage Whisper. Guest vocals by Allison Crutchfield (of P.S. Eliot, Swearin’) on The First Part. Guest vocals by Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak, Flock of Dimes) on Keeping Track. Piano by Peter Holsapple (of the dB’s) on Stretched Out and Driveway to Driveway. Saxophone by Matt Douglas (of the Mountain Goats) on Saving My Ticket and In a Stage Whisper.

Acoustic Foolish

Music GB