From the initial guitar swells of Slick Shoes' self-titled fourth album, the writing is on the wall, and it isn't good. Another plump target for Tooth & Nail's critics: stale pop-punk that celebrates friendship and love using all the tricks of a genre that burnt out years ago. Punk purists are going to pour cold water all over this album's youthful exuberance.
But get past the somewhat routine first song, and it becomes clear that this group has matured, if not lyrically then certainly musically. The melodies are stronger and delivered more confidently than ever. "Friday Night," the third track on offer, is the first big highlight, an electrified teen anthem with a huge chorus that teeters on a cheesy abyss but just avoids falling in, thanks largely to its catchiness:
It's Friday Night.
Let's go.
Let's all have some fun tonight.
All right.
Here we go.
Here we go tonight.
The lyrics progress a little beyond this, inevitably steering towards boy/girl boy/God relationships, themes well suited to music this buoyant.
Other highlights include "Alone," which also sports an anthemic chorus and some nicely placed strings, which create the necessary ambience without sapping the song of its vitality or sounding overblown. "No More Words," the best song on the album, incorporates a rhythmic break that flows effortlessly into another huge chorus. The praise song "151," which closes the album, starts with a staccato riff that gives way to driving distortion and another top-notch melody. "1000 Times Before" is the closest thing to punk, a 1:27 nugget with a somewhat denser, murkier sound and the cheerfulness sapped out of Ryan Kepke's voice.
A few songs misfire, particularly the flavourless "1 A.M.", but on the whole this is a good album, an ideal accompaniment to summer sunshine (providing your country of residence gets any). Slick Shoes' strongest to date.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis April 2002Reviewed by Nate BaileySlick Shoes is a new-school punk band that has released three previous full lengths with Tooth and Nail records. This new self-titled album is also on Tooth and Nail. Slick Shoes are still going strong with their newest release. Despite some personal changes over the years (the loss of Dale Yob, Jackson, and now Jeremiah) the two original members and the new guys have worked hard to keep things…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestThe decayed look of the digi pack might suggest an album back from the day these guys were crawling around in their diapers. Contrary to this old look is the freshness and excitement Slick Shoes displays through their music. The fourth record from the band contains twelve poppy punk rock tunes that mix catchy song writing with energetic rock and harmonic vocals. This music breathes joy and…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Jessica HeikoopTooth and Nail's Slick Shoes follows up their previous album (from only last year) Wake Up Screaming with their new self-titled disc - an album full of pure punk rock ear candy from start to finish. With much success over the past year, including a tour with MxPx, and the Tooth and Nail 2001 tour (with Ace Troubleshooter, Calibretto 13 and Rod Laver) they are notably still going strong. Slick…Garlic Press #6Reviewed by p.r. scottThis is a teenage N.S. punk band, but there is just something different about it. Extremely intricate and complicated melodies. The drums are fast, giving everything a lot of energy. The vocals are a little strange and detracting, but the music is what really carries this project. I look forward to a full length.Similar sounding releases
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2000MxPxThe Ever Passing Moment
