Sadly, the name H20 of late has been soiled by a terrible pop band. But, fear not, the real H20 are back with a new album to dethrone the dodgy, kiss radio-endorsed pretenders. Having been on various labels including Epitaph and a major label scurmish with MCA, they have settled with those hardcore loving people at Bridge Nine. To me, this label seems the spiritual home for this album.
As ever, this is NYC hardcore with pop punk dynamics. Despite, for example, a guest appearance from their good friend Lou from Sick Of It All, the band have always been more in the 7 Seconds bracket of hardcore than just being another SOIA or Madball, and this is what has always made H20 interesting. This album, whilst it isn’t quite up there in my eyes with ‘F.T.T.W’, is still a fine piece of work. It’s short, to the point and seems to be the band’s attempt to show their music can compete with any of the bands mincing it around right now on the strength of 10 million myspace plays and more expensive hair cuts. Mid-way through the album the track ‘Still Here’ hammers the point home. A song about being an old bastard and still living the scene.
Beautiful. It brings a tear to my eye. Basically, I would put my neck out and say that if you like hardcore, in any of its forms, this album will only add to your collection. It’s been a fair few years in the making, and it shows.
Mike