This album is one of the best releases of the year. Ghoti Hook has changed their sound some, and for the better. When I was in the band it was punk rock. Now Ghoti Hook is Rock-Rock - real rock with pentatonic scales and everything. With the addition of Mark Lacasse on guitar taking over some of the songwriting responsibilities that I left behind, Ghoti Hook has added musical integrity that wasn't present on the previous albums.
The stupid silly songs are gone, but they are replaced with rocking songs about maturing and stuff like that. As with all previous Ghoti Hook albums, there are happy songs, serious songs and songs that are very personal.
The production is great. Vocals are a little loud for my taste but I got used to it. I could have used more harmonies, but I'm a harmony junkie. The arrangement of the songs are great.
As far as performance - everything is tight. Adam (the drummer) has gotten a lot more solid and it shows on the album and in their live shows. Joel's voice is sounding better than ever. Joel has always had a 'dark' voice, but this album captures it so you can understand him. The strength in his voice really comes though also. When Jamie does do harmonies, it blends extremely well. Then there's Mark, the guitarist. What can I say? He's amazing. Not in the blazing metal way, but in the more rock solo way. Not to mention his voice is amazing too.
This is a MUST album. You might not have liked them in the past or can't get over Ghoti Hook not singing stupid songs anymore - but this is one album you must own. You must have it. Simply amazing.
A
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Jesse N.Ghoti Hook really impressed me when they released their first album, and even had some highlights on their second disc. Then along comes their third release, Songs We Didn't Write. An album full of cover tunes, and void of all musical value. After that, I had pretty much given up on the thought that Ghoti Hook would make any more good music. Then, a glimmer of hope shined when I heard a song…Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Earl CampbellDon't come around here looking for Conrad, whining about "what once was." You will get no sympathy – not a scratch on the back, not a gentle whisper, or even a foolish smile. As much as I love Conrad, this circa 1950 meets 2000 incarnation of what was once the clown prince of punk rock, this collection of boys becoming men, this crue of toothpicked warblers, this James Dean heart-sleeve, this…Exit Zine 2000Reviewed by Aaron J. YoungEvery now and then, a band comes along that goes beyond the overused, cookie-cutter-fit-in-the-niche style that so many other artists latch on to and completely upgrades a genre that has become stale. When this happens, I get a sense of happiness and relief in knowing that, yes, musicians these days are still working hard to advance music beyond the established sound and discover how much more…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Tom BastianHands down this is the best album Ghoti Hook has put out. I have been listening to this band for at least 6 years now and their music style has seemed to be growing with my musical tastes. What you have here is a mature Ghoti Hook. The hyper beat drums are gone, and fast punk rock guitars are still here on some songs, but overall what you have is an amazing ROCK album. The opening track, "One…Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestGhoti Hook hasn't been sitting idle since Banana Man, their second album. As you may know they released a record filled with covers called Songs We Didn't Write. Along the way their sound developed. I remember a review of Banana Man in a Dutch magazine in which the reviewer tore the album to pieces and literally threw it out of the window (at least he wrote so). Two Years To Never is a different…Similar sounding releases
2005The StivsSweet Heartache and the Satisfaction
2002Alkaline Trio / Hot Water MusicSplit
2001Sum 41All Killer No Filler
2001The AtarisEnd Is Forever
2002The Reunion ShowKill Your Television
1999HangnailHangnail
