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    The Phantom Tollbooth 1997/Ghoti Hook
    Ghoti Hook — Banana Man cover

    Ghoti Hook

    Banana Man

    (1997)

    Reviewed by Linda T. Stonehocker

    DiscogsApple MusicSpotify
    Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1997
    pop punkpunkskate punk

    The boys of Ghoti Hook are back with more pop-punk silliness crammed onto a CD bearing the image of a man. Not just any man, but a man in glasses and a banana suit. The beat rarely slows, and the production is an accurate rendition of amplified instruments at full volume, very much like their first release, Sumo Surprise. Please don't look for deep meaning in that banana suit--it isn't there--but don't write the band off yet. The goofiness is merely a segue to deeper, more meaningful silliness. If you've proven your loyalty to the concept of culturally relevant evangelism by listening all the way to the end and you still can't stand it (still can only catch every fifth word), pass this thing along to someone much younger, and never, ever try to foist another Geoff Moore or Steven Curtis Chapman project on them again. Ghoti Hook is speaking their language.

    If you're over 40: 1 tock. Under 22: 5 tocks

    Other coverage for this album

    The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Shawn SmithBananas, strange costumes, and Ghoti Hook: all three, very fun topics. Combine them and something good is bound to happen. Not to keep you in suspense any longer, the result is the title track to Ghoti Hook's new album, Banana Man, a rather odd little piece about a man whose job is dressing up like a banana. For those of you who have heard and enjoy Ghoti Hook - rejoice, the album is true to…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Jeremy ChoiTo this day, it is this writer's belief that Ghoti Hook's 1996 debut release on Tooth and Nail Records, Sumo Surprise, is one of the best records that Tooth and Nail has released in its four years of existence. The five-man band from Virginia produced a very fun and heavily punk-style record with Sumo Surprise, one that would delight fans of MxPx, Green Day, Rancid, and Value Pac. The music was…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Mark J. AylorIt's been 15-20 years since I heard good punk music. Guess what? I found something that has at least peaked my interest. Ghoti Hook (pronounced "go-tee," thank you very much) takes me back to those hard core punk days before new wave ruined it and sets my head rattling. It has enough energy to power the entire eastern seaboard and still have plenty left over. Banana Man is Ghoti Hook's second…

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    More from Ghoti Hook

    1996Sumo Surprise2003Retrospective2002Ghoti Hook2000Two Years to Never1998Songs We Didn't Write

    Also in The Phantom Tollbooth 1997

    1997Dear EphesusThe Consolation of Pianissimo1997DiscipleMy Daddy Can Whip Your Daddy1998Various ArtistsCeltic Expressions of Worship Volume 3 - Breath of Life1997King's XBest of King's X1997The WaitingThe Waiting1997Fates WarningA Pleasant Shade of Gray