You may not know the name, but if you listened to music in the mid to late nineties, you know the sound. Superdrag was one of the most influential bands of the time, combining power pop/pop punk with Beach Boys harmonies. Their music walked the balance between noise and melody in a distinct fashion. The band went on self-imposed hiatus in 2003 in the midst of label troubles and frontman John Davis (no relation to Jonathan Davis of Korn or John Davis of Folk Implosion) conversion to Christianity.

As pressures mounted, Davis had fell into an anger-fueled alcoholism, typified by the title of the band’s last album, Last Call for Vitriol. Things finally turned a corner one night just prior to the release of the Vitriol album. Davis was driving to his parent’s house when he felt that he had hit rock-bottom. He pulled over, prayed to God and began life as a Christian. According to Wikipedia, Davis “was able to get away from alcohol, but felt that Superdrag was a mouth-piece for the life he had left behind, and simply didn’t feel his heart behind it anymore.” The group disbanded in 2003, though they left open the possibility of playing together in the future.

In 2005, Davis released his first solo album. The self-title project drew much more on the melodic side than had Superdrag’s work. The album leaned heavily on The Beach Boys and Beatles-like melodies and the majority of the lyrics were meditations on Davis’ newfound Christianity. In July, 2007, Superdrag announced a string of reunion shows and in October, 2007, Davis released his second solo album, Arigato!

Whereas Davis’ self-titled album prominently featured Davis’ keyboard talents, Arigato! is a straight-ahead guitar album. In many ways, it’s a return to form for Davis and truth be told, the album feels very much like a Superdrag album. Featuring Davis on guitar, bass and vocals and Yogi Watts on drums, the album is a straightforward affair. However, that does not mean it’s a monotonous affair by any means.

Album opener “Chant Down Babylon” finds Davis singing “I can feel it in my knees, the weather’s going to change on me. But I will not be disarranged by someone with nothing to say” over achugging, distorted guitar line. This sets the theme of much of the album. These are the meditations of someone “settling” in to a faith that calls them to stand strong and continue on, even in the face of life’s difficulties. Davis openly shares the fight against indwelling sin; a fight we will only make progress in by the same grace that saved us. In the same song, Davis sings “The easiest thing in the world is to feel like you’re alone but we’re not made for being alone. The love in your heart is a pearl, you’ve got to keep it from turning to stone. I can’t keep up this fascaud, I consecrate myself to God.” Through all the struggles, God’s faithfulness is what upholds our faith and commands our obedience.

The album wrestles with the difficulties of daily living out the faith of perseverance in a spirit of gratitude. Though Davis openly wrestles with his continued sin, as in “I’m At War With Myself,” gratitude for God’s grace is never far away. After all, the album is called Arigato! Arigato, is a Japanese word meaning “thank you.” In “I Need Someone,” Davis sings “You know how I need you here, to call me and draw me near” and in “Lamentations vs. Laughter,” he sings: “Every step farther along feels alright for a time. But it comes out wrong. We still trespass. We still transgress. We are whited sephulcres or something less.” This tension plays itself out well throughout the album, playing off of the distorted guitars and heavy bass lines. Yet through it all, Davis reminds us that we are upheld by grace, and that’s the beauty of it all. He also sings in “Lamentations”: “Without You, all of this means nothing.”

Though there are some overdubbed vocals and guitars, that’s about as fancy as this outing gets for Davis. Distorted guitars drive the melodies, upheld by steady and solid rhythm work from the drums and bass. The guitar playing is sharp and powerful throughout and the distortion plays perfectly against the themes of tension in the Christian life. It’s a rock record and it’s a great record at that. We don’t get enough of those lately. Davis reminds us that the wheel doesn’t need to be reinvented just well-oiled. In “History,” Davis sings, “There’s nothing I can’t overcome through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.” Arigato indeed!

Highly recommended.

• Purchase Arigato!
• Listen to Superdrag for yourself
• Visit the official Superdrag website
• Visit Davis’ Myspace page