Of all the Gainesville goodies, in the whooooooooooole wiiiiiiiiiiiide woooooorld – you’re my favourite. If they’ve written better songs than ‘Better Sense’ or ‘Just Don’t Say You’ve Lost It’, I haven’t heard’em (Unless you’re talking about ‘Where We Belong’ or ‘Bitter End’).
I think nostalgia flavoured the bulk of this review, but after the ‘rose-tinted glassery’ of the reunion show nestled firmly behind my person, I realised this is not a record I’d be returning to. Sure, the trademark ‘Hot Water Music’ elements are present, and seemingly intact – but it just seems a little too ‘by the numbers’. Opening pulse-pounding rager laden with shout-along chorus? Check! The ‘forlorn-third’ regarding the band feeling out of touch with the world? Chizzeck! Bah! I’ll just stop there. This collection of songs, while moderately enjoyable and even ‘catchy’ at times will never serve as anything but a roadblock/impediment to their prior work in a live setting. If someone can look me in the eye and say (With a straight face) that they’d rather hear ‘Boy, You’re Gonna Hurt Someone’ live than ‘Better Sense’ then I’ll put a cork in it (Barring the band, of course). Still love these guys – and always will.
Favourites: ‘Drag My Body’, ‘Safety’, ‘The Traps’
Not-so-hot: ‘State of Grace’, ‘Pledge Worn Thin’
It’s a gamble,
Jeff
Shapes Not Too Selective 