Pissing off Scenesters Since 1995
H2O
“Nothing To Prove”
Bridge 9 Records
H2O have returned after a very long hiatus and their fans couldn’t be luckier. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, “Nothing to Prove” is a potent melding of power punk and mid-90s hardcore, lacking any macho posturing and soaked with infectiously catchy tunes. H2O have never been known as a traditional hardcore act, eschewing the cookie monster vocals favored by their friends and contemporaries. Singer Toby Morse instead enunciates every word of the bands’ insightful lyrics, most of which eulogize about time gone by and expounds on positive attitudes.
“Me and all my friends have nothing to prove–nothing to lose,” Morse sings with Agnostic Front’s Roger Miret dropping in to punctuate the title track. “Still Here” is a mile-a-minute challenge to those who gave up on hardcore. “Where did you go?” Morse asks all the straightedge kids who lost their way in his best CIV-style vocals. “They said my views would change, but they never did,” he screams.
The music recalls H2O’s triumphant “Faster Than the World,” but with tighter guitars, slicker production, and over-the-top harmonies. Older fans needn’t worry–this is not sequel to the band’s pop-punk heavy “Go.” The band found a balance between their influences, and even the poppier songs like “Fairweather Friend” get broken up with a vocals from Sick Of It All’s Lou Koller.
Todd Friend’s drumming is as tight as ever with massive fills that sound thicker than ever. Rusty Pistachio and Todd Morse trade licks effortlessly, and Adam Blake’s shows off his punchiest bass work since his days with Shelter.
It’s not really fair to say that this is H2O’s return to form, but it is safe to call “Nothing to Prove” one of their best efforts. Here’s hoping the live show will be just as fun.
Doesn’t Rock l Kinda Rocks l Rocks l Really Rocks
[...] and the boys just dropped their new video for “Nothing to Prove” from their superb record of the same name. The video is short, but you’ll have a blast [...]