Two Years to Never
With 1998's album of rock covers,Songs We Didn't Write, and the departure of original lead guitarist Conrad, Ghoti Hook was telegraphing that change was on the horizon. On Two Years to Never, the Washington D.C.-based quintet has shucked off the comic punk leanings of Conrad's songs (like onBanana ManandSumo Surprise) in favor of a hard-edged rock approach to songs about the dissolution of relationships, loss, disappointment and, in the end, forgiveness.Produced by Sean O'Dwyer (who has engineered on projects by Blink 182 and Green Day) and featuring the serious guitar chops of new member Mark Lacasse, Ghoti Hook has made a record that rocks with energy and creativity. Lyrically, it speaks honestly of the hurt and struggle to love and be loved. While making spiritual allusions here and there, it's on "Mach 3" that the band directly addresses a request to God. "Chevy Nova" is another rock song celebrating automobiles, and "Vs.," like MxPx's "Foolish," addresses folks who would write off the band merely because its members are Christians.An artful rock record, Ghoti Hook has not madeTwo Years to Neverso that it fits any particular definition of Christian music. Rather, it has made a gritty statement of how life is, one that punk and rock fans will respect and enjoy, and that will move the band toward larger general acceptance. --Brian Q. Newcomb(c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc. --CCM Magazine