Like the "Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots" featured on the cover, this West Coast four-piece packs a hook-laden pop punk punch. While every band in this genre gets compared to MxPx, these guys are different enough to not take that comparison seriously. Where MxPx will lean on its live experience and start/stop abilities, Watashi WA lets the melodic guitar lines carry the songs (along with Seth's pleasant vocals). In a way, I'd say these guys fall right in between MxPx and Dogwood.
I'm in love with the title track and "Mad Mardigan," which includes the following lines: "I could never tell that this 'me' in me just isn't me." The well-meaning and upright lines in "Tumalo" seem kinda cheesy, though: "...but we won't get drunk...Oh No!"
Sometimes the production seems to thin out inappropriately, which makes me give this overall good album an above-average B in a crowded and run-of-the-mill genre of pop punk. I'd go see these guys live any day.
Other coverage for this album
7ball #31Reviewed by Dan MacIntoshMusically speaking, Watashi Wa fits nicely into Bettie Rocket's creed of "creating relevant music and products for the surf, skate and snowboard scene." But this quartet has more than just sea, snow and sand on its mind. For example, the song "Tomorrow Brings Confusion" includes these vulnerable lines: God where do I go? I admit I am confused again. Many of the songs were written to fit a "story…Similar sounding releases
1999Noggin TobogganSnapcase
1998Jesse & The RockersT.I.N.
1996MxPxMove To Bremerton
2000TwotimerSee What Happens From Here
2003Sacred LifeThe Evil And Insane Asbest Man
1997Pocket ChangeSteadfast
