F.T.T.W.
Fronted by ex-Sick of It Allroadie Toby Morse, H2O have the kind of street cred and New York Hardcore (NYHC) chops that get the blood pumping. In addition, the band is well versed in the melodies of outfits likeHüsker DüandBad Religionand the art of crafting songs that stick like a mouse in a gluetrap. H2O's third album,F.T.T.W.(which stands forFaster Than the World) is the group's most focused and energetic release, incorporating straight-edge dynamics and pop-punk hooks on full-throttle window-breakers like "Guilty by Association," "Helpless Not Hopeless," and "Day by Day." However, the band sometimes falls in a rut, penning songs that aren't poppy enough forOffspringfans and not quite heavy enough to cause serious damage.--Jon Wiederhorn