Supercluster covers the seven-year run of Boston tunesmiths Big Dipper (1985-1992). Composed of former members of the Embarrassment (singer/guitarist Bill Goffrier), Volcano Suns (guitarist Gary Waleik), and Dumptruck (bassist Steve Michener and drummer Jeff Oliphant), the group spent two years on Homestead (1987-88), for whom they recorded Boo-Boo, Heavens, and Craps. Then, following the script of so many alternative acts of the early ’90s era, they signed to a major (Epic), released a less inspired, more produced effort (Slam), were dropped the following year, changed line-ups, and split a year thereafter. This three-disc, 49-track collection excludes Slam, substituting nine obscurities from the Craps sessions and 15 previously unreleased songs (a collection dubbed “Very Loud Array”) recorded after the major label debacle.
Big Dipper combines rock crunch with pop hooks, and smart, surprising lyrics that span the stratosphere. Their subjects include gypsies (”Faith Healer”), rural psychos (”San Quentin, CA”), mythical creatures (”Loch Ness Monster”), and 20th century astronomers (”Humason”). About 1987’s Boo-Boo EP, Bryon Coley once wrote, “It bounces like a goddamn super-ball.” For those plugged into college radio in the 1980s, a few of these numbers should be instantly familiar, like the chiming “All Going Out Together” and pounding “Younger Bums” (”The younger bums will likely outlive us”). Supercluster also packs in a video directed by Old Joy’s Kelly Reichardt (”Faith Healer”), band notes on several songs, a remembrance by Waleik, candid photos, and liner notes by self-described obsessive DJ Tom Scharpling (”The Best Show on WFMU”). As he puts it, their songs “measure up to the best of the best of anyone’s best, and I’m not just talking indie. I’m talking anyone who has written songs.”
