SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE AMPLIFIER HEADS – SUPER 8

THE AMPLIFIER HEADS
SUPER 8
RUM BAR RECORDS

Sal Baglio is part of rock and roll history. In 1977, he was a founding member of the classic Boston-based band The Stompers (who are in the New England Music Hall Of Fame) and although they never achieved the national or international success they deserved, they were well known on the East Coast. Since The Stompers split in 2021, Baglio has been focusing his energy on a couple of music projects, one of which, The Amplifier Heads, has just released a new album. Super 8 is their fifth album, and their first since 2024’s Songs From They Came To Rock.

Baglio and company try to go through rock and roll history on one album. The opening track, “Rock N Roll Riot,” starts things rolling with a song about the famous 1952 concert in Cleveland, which is given credit as kickstarting rock ‘n’ roll (which is why the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame is in Cleveland). The song itself is a road map through rock history, while borrowing the energy and feel of the Ramones.

From there, the band takes us on a trip through rock ‘n’ roll history, musically and lyrically. A lot of history is on the album. From garage rock (“They Don’t Dance Anymore”) to surf (“A Girl Named Chop Suey”) to straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll (“A Song Called Sha La La”) which tips its hat to The Rolling Stones. Another rocker, “Superstar,” seems to be heavily influenced by Paul McCartney’s song “Flaming Pie.” The songs are great, but the influences are worn on their sleeves.

Super 8 is an ambitious album, and one that is from the heart. Baglio and The Amplifier Heads obviously love rock ‘n’ roll and its incredible musical history. It is a fun album and if your feet aren’t tapping during the majority of songs, you may want to check for a pulse. Lyrically the album is a call back and yearning for simpler times and when rock ‘n’ roll seemed to matter. Baglio is waving the flag to bring back the guitars, bass, and drums bands and put fun back into music.

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