Customer Reviews

Nothing to Prove

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Punk veterans H2O come back with their first new album Since 2001's mediocre "Go." Preaching that they have "Nothing To Prove" and that they are "Still Here," the band maintains their tried-and-true formula of hardcore punk mixed in with catchy choruses and a cleaner vocal style.

As is the subject with many of the older hardcore punk bands, H2O's lyrics are generally positive; filled with songs of friends watching each other's backs and never backing down. Unlike much of the garbage "heavy" music scene today, H2O doesn't show angst and anger just for the sake of doing so; the lyrics, while simplistic, as they've always been, are very heartfelt and H2O manages to bring out the best of us through their lyrics and performance, unlike the steadily declining modern hardcore scene, which is filled with makeup-wearing scene kids doing their ridiculous pig squeals and playing their dark, (though fakely) cryptic lyrics.

As for the album itself, it's what you'll expect. People who will buy this album are people who are clearly fans of either H2O, or at the very least this particular genre of music. It's got good, catchy hooks, it's produced just enough to not sound like either early Misfits mixtapes nor like Angels and Airwaves, and the musicianship is very tight, including a nice solo in the song "Unconditional."

In short, yes, this is H2O, yes, it's way better than "Go," yes, they are indeed aging, but no, that does not at all affect this bands fantastic work ethic, positive lyrics and most importantly the necessary angst.

I admit to a bias - they're friends of mine over the past....18 years!? But we only see each other every couple of years these days. [Damn rock stars! ;)] Anyways, having grown up with them in the 80's and 90's immersed in DC, Baltimore, Philly, Boston, and NY hardcore, this record measures up. I'm thrilled that they've combined their love of bands like 7 Seconds, Sick of it All, Descendents, Bad Brains, etc into a fresh sound for us old-timers that still like fast, hard, and relevant (let me repeat that, relevant!) music. My kids love them, I love them, and this is why we're still punk rock and spreading the word. Thanks friends.

Okay, a quick overview: 1995 - fast beginning, love it, the message in the slower moshing is meaningful and heart-felt, but not didactic, i.e., it's not just picking up on something done before, it's the right heavy melody at the right time to make the point, musically; nothing to prove - yup, that's what hardcore is supposed to be, it's a great song and kids need to get it, we're here because we want to be and we don't care what others think...right?; sunday - one of my favorites, incredibly catchy (it could easily be a radio song), melodic but meaningful, that's what so many "pop" punk folks forget: you have to have a point; a thin line - same thing as before: a message and a story make a good song (as well as very good instrumentation like here where they combine the harder/softer and slower/faster parts well); unconditional - this is the beginning of my favorite half of the record, it's melodic/meaningful/heartfelt/well-played hardcore with well-written lyrics and interesting instrumentation (maybe this is the radio hit - b.t.w. - making money isn't selling out, if that was the case, no artist would ever survive and no one would ever want to become an artist, now would they?!); still here - easily the best track on the record, it speaks for itself, it's hard, fast, and has a great message, i don't have any analysis except that it stands up to tsol, 7 seconds, ill repute, nofx, and others...geez, what more do you want; fairweather friend - similar to the last but more personal (we've all been there, haven't we?); heart on my sleeve - shows a maturity in song structure and instrumentation with a message that is similar to the personal themes they hit on in all their records; Mitts - wow, i know this song and I love this song..........I'm gonna have to get back to you (i love this song and know all the lyrics.....too bad I didn't follow Toby's X lead and forgot so much!); what happened? - it's sad that they have to keep explaining what hardore is about...maybe if they released albums more often!....anyways - they care and they want everyone to care, no better way to end. Peace. Enjoy.

This album is great. I'll admit that I'm not a huge H2O fan. They're not bad; I'm just not that familiar with them. I started listening with GO!, which was also a great album. I've been back-tracking my way through the H2O catalog. I recently got Thicker Than Water (going backward) and Nothing To Prove (going forward), and they are both great! I like how Nothing To Prove has so many guests from the hardcore and punk world, since I have recently gotten into bands like Madball, too. H2O do an excellent job of promoting good values ranging from family, community, work ethic, and respect. There isn't enough of that in modern music. They aren't preachy, but they are very positive. Check this one out. You won't be sorry.

Wow... Don't think I've ever written a review but this album is that good. I became a huge H2O fan back in the day when I saw them on a PunkORama tour with Pennywise, Bigwig, and others (Thicker than Water tour)... bought Thicker than Water at the show, then immediately got their first album which was possibly even more impressive. After FTTW and Go, which had a couple great tunes, I kind of gave up on them, particularly because they went silent for a long time. Some of Go I really didn't like. So I was blown away when I got this album and song writing, sound, and power was as strong as ever, but at the same time fresh. The album also sounds much better than their earlier recordings, but still sounds raw and not over produced like some of their 90's punk counterparts recent albums. It's very "chanty" with strong back ups, and while it's as hard as ever, the lyrics are really relevant to me - a 38 yr old family guy, drummer, who previously played in a punk band. Of all the recent albums released by punk bands from the 90's, this is probably top of the list. Highly recommended if you were into that scene and a must have for H2O fans. My only regret is that I only bought the digital download - this one is worth getting the liner notes and cover art.

I gotta tell you, I never was a big H2O fan, and when I first heard this album, at first I couldn't stand it. The music felt too clean, the melodies too peppy, and the attitude overbearing. Yeah, I know they've always had the posi message, and honestly, I'm sure they're great guys. But something bothered me - maybe it was the soundbites between the songs (like on their first album). Maybe it was the lyrics to songs like "1995" and "What Happened?" that talk about the hardcore scene as if it started when they did and has completely sold out, ignoring bands like Champion, Have Heart, Lion of Judah, and a bajillion other modern hardcore bands.

After a few more spins, though, it really grew on me, and now it's permanently stuck in my CD player. Yeah, the music is poppy ... in fact, it's really poppy, with harmony parts on "Heart On My Sleeve" that could make a 15 year-old girl stain her undies. But there's nothing wrong with catchy hardcore and punk, and this stuff is definitely catchy. It's still got the hardcore sound in the guitars and tempo, and Civ and Lou Koller drop by to beef up the vox on a few songs.

I love hardcore because it's so passionate, and these guys are still all about the passion, despite their age. In fact, the 1995-Now hardcore timeline they introduce here is not a condemnation of the entire scene - it's a reflection on their lives and the process of aging, a subject they deal with in "Sunday," a profoundly heartfelt look at life and death, complete with a subtle nod to Fugazi to cement their dedication to the scene.

Not every hardcore or punk band has to sound like Cro-Mags or Earth Crisis - Bad Religion and the Dropkick Murphys have made a career of melding punk and pop, and Youth of Today eventually gave way to Shelter. If you're up for some pop with your hxc, this is a solid album that shares the soundbites, sound and subject matter of their first album from over a decade ago, and yet takes it all further, creating a cleaner, more soaring sound that's tempered with the wisdom of age. And if you started out with them back in '95 and you're now an aging hardcore guy like me, this is sure to win you over.

This is the sound of New York. It's been almost 10 years since they released "Faster Than The World," and they have successfully demonstrated the root of their music on this new release "Nothing To Prove."

At first listen, I admit that it did not grab my attention as much as it did for their three albums in 90's. However, the more I have listened to it, the more it grows on me. Musically, a new album has the resemblance to the first s/t album, being both short and catchy, and more importantly being NEW YORK STYLE. If you are fans of s/t album, "Nothing To Prove" has something to prove ya.

Although I like all songs, my favorite goes to "Fairweather Friend," because it has a H20 old school flavor, along with the guest appearance by Lou Koller (Sick Of It All). His entrance on the vocal line is so thrilling that it reminds of how Freddy (Madball) takes his part on the song "Guilty By Association." Also, there are definitely the positive effect of the NY band Hazen St, as I feel their direct influences upon the songs like "What Happened" and "Unconditional." Not to mention that Matt Skiba plays very important role on "What Happened", creating very beautiful melody.

In the end, "Nothing To Prove" by H2O has something to prove you for what New York Hardcore is all about. Listening to it is reminiscent me of bumping into Toby and his crew at St.Mark St of East Village NYC. Also, listening this CD in 2008 will bring you back to the 90's when you goes to the Corny Island High for Crown of Thornz, H20, and 25 Ta Life show.