Moderate to high distortion levels and fast guitar licks are the key to many of the tracks on this CD. "Turn Right," by far the fastest track of the disc, features a lot of fuzz added to a rapid guitar and a nicely punchy bass lick. Most of the remainder have an upbeat tempo and have a more mainstream rock sound. With some leanings to a harsher rock sound, the four member group executes a surprisingly good balance of vocals and instrumentation. A couple of tunes also included pick up a distinctively folk to southern-rock leaning.
Many of the cuts feature a strong dose of observational satire without being cynical. "It Doesn't Matter" is reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' sound, while "If Jesus were a Backpack" is a humorous track which features a garage band sound--taking advantage of a harsh, shallow echo. "Slow Me Down" shows Allman Brothers' influences in the careful guitar work. This track, along with "Let Go," are my personal favorite tracks.
The lyrics in "Matthew 23:28" look at the superficiality of many teenagers' attachments to the church and Christianity--the line "I go to church therefore I am" along with "my girlfriend goes to church - that's why I go" is the best reference to a teen's emotional attachment I've heard in years. I know I felt that way during those years. Overall, this group shows a lot of promise and deserves a listen.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerIf you hunger for another Hootie or Third Day-type band, here it is. The intro of "Who to Believe" is almost identical to one of Hootie's radio hits. Otherwise, the music is solid, well-played, southern-tinged rock/alternative with deep-throated, happy-grunge vocals. A few songs get more aggressive and funky than the others. Completely unoriginal, but the youth group kids at Fishers of Men shows…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Corey WeltonCertainly energetic and inspirational, this album appears to have a lot in common with the South Carolina music scene, a la Hootie and the Blowfish or Big Head Todd. With the predominantly acoustic and clean-electric sound often associated with the rock coming from today's southeastern regions quite prevalent on this album, one might at first assume that Fishers of Men is trying to compete in an…
