Certainly energetic and inspirational, this album appears to have a lot in common with the South Carolina music scene, a la Hootie and the Blowfish or Big Head Todd. With the predominantly acoustic and clean-electric sound often associated with the rock coming from today's southeastern regions quite prevalent on this album, one might at first assume that Fishers of Men is trying to compete in an already-saturated market. However, the Fishers of Men certainly put up a good contest, and a closer listen divulges the fallacies in such an assumption; the band certainly appears to have a particular audience in mind, that being the Christian listener who wants to hear more than just your typical songs about booze and troubles. Instead, this album is very upbeat and particularly "pastoral" at the same time. As an added treat, the band turns up the tempo on "Think About It" and "Turn Right", showing they're capable of more than just slow and steady rock.
While I wasn't too excited to see them take up the controversial topic of evolution in the song "Who to Believe," the album is otherwise a solid effort. Check it out, you might be surprised.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerIf you hunger for another Hootie or Third Day-type band, here it is. The intro of "Who to Believe" is almost identical to one of Hootie's radio hits. Otherwise, the music is solid, well-played, southern-tinged rock/alternative with deep-throated, happy-grunge vocals. A few songs get more aggressive and funky than the others. Completely unoriginal, but the youth group kids at Fishers of Men shows…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Chris OttModerate to high distortion levels and fast guitar licks are the key to many of the tracks on this CD. "Turn Right," by far the fastest track of the disc, features a lot of fuzz added to a rapid guitar and a nicely punchy bass lick. Most of the remainder have an upbeat tempo and have a more mainstream rock sound. With some leanings to a harsher rock sound, the four member group executes a…
