H2O Albums (5)
'Nothing to Prove'
Release Date 1/1/2008
Tracks 10
Label Bridge Nine Records
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Want to hear an album that sounds perfect for provoking a bunch of sweaty guys with buzzcuts and tattoos to start flailing around wildly and jumping on each other? Then do yourself a favor and track down H2O's 2008 release, Nothing to Prove. Upon hearing the group's first new set of tunes in seven years (their previous album, Go, dropped in 2001), it turns out that H2O still follow the same game plan as before -- shouted-yet-melodic vocals and bash-and-wail songs that simply ooze with adrenaline or rocket fuel (take your pick). H2O are veterans of the Warped Tour, and the majority of the tunes on Nothing to Prove are absolutely custom-made for the sunburned skater crowds that congregate at the festival each year. Picture the excitement of lighting a firecracker and running away before it blows up your neighbor's mailbox, and you may get the same feeling listening to such barely containable punk-pop ditties as the album-opening "1995," as well as the title track, "A Thin Line," and "Fairweather Friend." A most welcome return for H2O, Nothing to Prove shows that the extended hiatus from the recording studio hasn't dulled their roar in the slightest. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Is it possible to combine the elements of pop-punk, hardcore, and '80s pop music? H2O seems willing to try. After albums on Blackout and Epitaph, New York City's H2O have moved on to bigger and better things, namely MCA. Don't think they've sold out, though. Go still has all the elements for which H2O has become known for: a nice hardcore punk feel with fun, sweet vocals. H2O are part of the posi-core movement, with the majority of the songs being encouraging and helpful anthems, as opposed to many of the negative letdowns in the hardcore scene. In that positive spirit, Go seems like good driving music for the summer months. The most intriguing factor of H2O, though, is that Go seems to find them experimenting with some '80s pop music influences. The initial tip-off was their cover of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" at the end of the CD. However, songs like "Memory Lane" and the utilization of producer Matt Wallace (the Replacements, Faith No More) seems to hint that H2O is quite comfortable with their closet music interests. The band hasn't gone totally soft, though. They still know how to make things fast, entertaining, and edgy. The majority of the tracks easily prove that. On the downside, some of the songs such as "I Want I Want" contain repetitive choruses that get old very quickly. As the album progresses, more of the songs start to sound the same. The choruses continue to get more repetitive and the variation on the music seems to diminish. The next-to-last track, "Repair," picks up the album a little bit, as Tony Morse's vocals nearly sound feminine akin to an '80s pop singer. The backup vocals chime in to make this a polished, sharp tune. The track "Underneath the Flames" makes for a solid closer, helping to restore some of the letdown felt during the mid-portion of the album. ~ Kurt Morris, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
H2O's third album, F.T.T.W. (Finally Taste the Water), builds on the hardcore punk style the group established with the preceding Thicker Than Water, with lightning-quick tempos and pummeling guitar and drum work. The lyrics still tend toward the personal and introspective, although not exclusively. The blinding assault of the band tends to obscure periodic songwriting deficiencies, so even if the album isn't a great leap forward, it will satisfy fans of both the group and the genre. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On its second album, H2O tightens up its sound, dumping the ska experiments in favor of their love of melodic speed-punk and classic hardcore à la Minor Threat. There is a positive, straight-edge sensibility to most of the lyrics, but singer Toby Morse never comes off as preachy or didactic. The riffs are strong as well, making Thicker Than Water a fine effort. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
