Ron S. Peno And The Superstitions: Do The Understanding

- Do The Understanding is the third album for Ron S. Peno And The Superstitions, the current vehicle for the enigmatic Ron Peno, who most of us know as the frontman of the legendary Died Pretty. The Superstitions are not a backing band for Ron though, they are a tight collaborative unit who work together closely to perfect their urgently luxurious sound which, along with Ron’s ambiguously romantic lyrics make each track equally uplifting and heartbreaking.

Recorded mostly in home studios during both Ron’s recent cancer treatment and COVID, this carefully crafted album highlights Cam Butler’s sublime, wistful and gently forceful guitar playing, Tim Deane’s deft keyboard skills and is rounded out the solid and comforting rhythm section of Mark Dawson and Andy Papadopoulos that all work together to frame Peno’s vocals perfectly.

The album starts of with the thunderously atmospheric When Worlds Collide which is slightly reminiscent of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, and meanders through the urbane and charming The Strangest Feeling to the driving Everything Has Changed which is somehow both lush and desolate at the same time.

Lovelight shines seductively through the darkness, while Darkness Heart soars far into the stratosphere, the listener floats assuredly back to earth with the swift 6/8 time signature of Just A Little.

If anything the album ends a little too soon for my liking with I Think It’s Gonna Rain which highlights Ron’s distinctive vocals, which only seem to get better with time. This latest offering from The Superstitions left me satisfied and yet wanting more.

- Judy Jetson.