Album Review: H2O “Use Your Voice”
review by Denise Borders
I know this album already came out, but I’m going to review it anyway. I meant to do so before the release date but you know, shit happens like shooting It’s Not Dead Fest and being buried in thousands of photos of awesome bands and having like two hours of video to get through and so forth. ANYWAY, I am not big on H2O. I mean, I see the appeal and sometimes I want to like them (they have a few songs, like Don’t Forget Your Roots, that I do like), but just something about them doesn’t really do it for me. Maybe Toby talks too much during the live shows, maybe I just don’t particularly like the combo of his voice with that music, but separately I don’t hate either. It’s neither here nor there, but I am always down to give a band a chance. They have a good message and mean well, so I wanted to review their new album, Use Your Voice, out now on Bridge 9 Records.
1 Black Sheep
02 Skate!
03 Thick And Thin
04 Use Your Voice
05 Father Figure
06 From The Heart
07 Popage
08 LYD
09 Still Dreaming
10 #NotRealLife
11 True Romance
So…. here we go. Then Black Sheep started, and it was somewhat of a PMA monologue, I’m like… yup, sounds about right. I appreciate Toby coming from a good place and wanting to “spread the PMA” as he says. Once the actual song started, it definitely sounds like H2O. Often times with hardcore bands like this, I find the biggest change album-to-album is the production quality just gets better, but they typically don’t develop much in a new sound or anything (not a bad thing).
However… let me just sum this record up for you. I feel like this album is the band being a parody of themselves. Like they’re delivering an overdose of “what they’re about” thinking that it’s what their fans expect/want. Maybe it is? I couldn’t tell you because I’m not a huge fan of this band. I don’t hate them or anything, I’ll watch their live sets and stuff, but I don’t listen to them in my spare time. I am not a fan of the lyrics on this record, I think they’re cheesy at times, but I’m sure H20 fans will dig it because it sounds like classic them.
Think I’m a jerk about this review or do you agree with me? Tell me on Twitter or Facebook!
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
Related Posts
Album Review: Hood Rats “Crime, Hysteria, And Useless Information” →
Album Review: Sum 41 “Heaven :x: Hell” →
Album Review: Bloodstains “Bloodstains” →
