The interestingly titled new release from "Ghoti Hook" does just
that - hooks you in with their jagged edged layers, hyped up choruses and
listener friendly verses. Drawn from the anxious resources of leftover
love, the first two songs deliver a high impact of furious
proportions - "One Step Away" and "Two Years To Never." Or are we talking
about two years until expectations are inevitably unmet? Or more like two
years invested in self-inflicted sorrow and wasted time?
There's a message of intent within every song they do, and while they get a
little
deep from time to time, or all the time if you're paying attention, the
driving rhythms and authoritative verses go a down a little easier.
"Lullaby" is probably the best song here for what it is, a low key
moment, nearly a ballad, haunted by subliminal grooves and echoed
torment in a nearly a pop-friendly atmosphere, but definitely a struggle on
all counts.
There's a lot of Suicide Machines going on here - new
and old - for anyone who now knows the difference, though "Ghoti Hook"
packs just a little more punch at their current pace. "All That I Am"
states the case quite emphatically, but even more so, check out "Chevy
Nova," which only by reading its description makes me drool. Here's
where the real turbo charging takes place, speeding off on the hardcore/
punk superhighway!
"Mach 3," conversely, does just the opposite in it's
playfully pop direction and sing along chorus that comes straight out of
nowhere. For an underexposed strong point, "Two Steps To Never" has the
stamina to leap beyond that which they dread and into the waiting arms of
successful salvation.
