4 out of 5
“For those that don’t know, H2O GO!” Thus starts the first record in seven years for these NYHC stalwarts, and it’s screamed by a kid who wasn’t even born when the last H2O album came out (singer Toby Morse’s son). But that doesn’t even matter because this is just as good as what the band were doing back in 1995, the year they started (and the year that starts the record with the ode to days gone by, “1995”). It’s classic NYHC along the lines of Shelter & Gorilla Biscuits (whose singer, CIV, makes an appearance here on “Still Here”), with plenty of “jud-juds,” plenty of breakdowns & circle pit moments, plenty of PMA (“positive mental attitude” for those not in the know), plenty of railing (against poseurs, personal turmoil, etc.) and plenty of melody. It’s not all just mosh-core, and that’s a very welcome thing in these days of 28 different kinds of “-core,” most owing more to metal than anything else. Sometimes it’s just great to hear something that puts a smile on your face and makes you want to run around in a circle, windmilling and picking up change until your arms fall off. “Nothing to Prove” is a 
Bouncing Souls-style bro anthem (think the Souls’ “Manthem”) with its gang-vocal chorus of “Me and all my friends, we got nothing to prove, nothing to lose!” This whole record is a friend-laden affair, in fact, with the aforementioned appearance from CIV, as well as Lou Koller from Sick of It All, Roger Miret from Agnostic Front, Freddy Cricien from Madball, Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio, Kevin Seconds from 7 Seconds, and even Michael Rappaport. Unfortunately, this also brings up the biggest fault with the album and that’s that there’s way too many quotes and interludes for a 10-song album. Nearly every song starts with some quote or another, and, however appropriate (Toby’s son’s intro to “Sunday,” a song about losing a father and becoming a father, is perfect), it still interrupts the flow of the album. Also, since when is 10 songs an album for a punk/hardcore band? Isn’t that more EP territory? You know what though? Those are minor complaints. Quit being too cool, go put on some baggy shorts and a heather-grey t-shirt, go to a matinee show, and go remember why you got into punk rock in the first place when you were young.
Bouncing Souls-style bro anthem (think the Souls’ “Manthem”) with its gang-vocal chorus of “Me and all my friends, we got nothing to prove, nothing to lose!” This whole record is a friend-laden affair, in fact, with the aforementioned appearance from CIV, as well as Lou Koller from Sick of It All, Roger Miret from Agnostic Front, Freddy Cricien from Madball, Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio, Kevin Seconds from 7 Seconds, and even Michael Rappaport. Unfortunately, this also brings up the biggest fault with the album and that’s that there’s way too many quotes and interludes for a 10-song album. Nearly every song starts with some quote or another, and, however appropriate (Toby’s son’s intro to “Sunday,” a song about losing a father and becoming a father, is perfect), it still interrupts the flow of the album. Also, since when is 10 songs an album for a punk/hardcore band? Isn’t that more EP territory? You know what though? Those are minor complaints. Quit being too cool, go put on some baggy shorts and a heather-grey t-shirt, go to a matinee show, and go remember why you got into punk rock in the first place when you were young.
=james
No comments:
Post a Comment