Supernova: Rox

The space-wave geeks in Supernova have evolved from the obnoxious kids who would do anything to get your attention into the surly teenagers who would beat up their earlier incarnations. Like most adolescents, however, they can be a source of amusement, what with their confusion about sex and awkward social abilities. On Rox, Supernova still pounds out the sort of catchy pop-punk stuff heard on its 1995 debut Ages Three And Up, but the songs are rocked up a bit more. More mature themes are explored as well, albeit in Supernova's own uniquely immature way. Instead of singing about math and Mentos, it plays grand homages to phone sex (or, on "Telephone," its inability to try it without getting caught or paying for it), regular sex (or, on "Roll In The Hay," trying to talk someone into it), and monsters (on the previously released "Monsta"). Rox doesn't seem as fresh or carefree as Ages Three and Up—it drags periodically, and the band's we're-from-the-planet-Cynot-3 schtick is a bit worn out—but it's still good fun, and it should give Supernova another opportunity to tour in its hi-tech space bus.