Ghoti Hook

Item: Sumo Surprise
Author: David Luck

Sumo Surprise

(1996)

Reviewed by David Luck

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Spotify

Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe LighthouseFebruary 1997

pop punk punk skate punk

Wow! Ghoti Hook has come out with a new angle on the same-old same-old. You've no doubt heard it all before and have long since tired of the lyrics that are so often expressed in the secular world of the MTV sound. But wait... What is it that's happening in today's market of Christian music? Well, if you haven't heard Ghoti Hook, then you're totally clueless! Now I know that there are many out there that listen to a group strictly for their sound, while others are more into the lyrics. I'm here to tell you that you no longer have to make that choice-Ghoti Hook has it all, and I can't wait to see these guys live in concert.

So, what is it that has me bouncing from the walls with my headphones on? What is it that has me dancing around my room with a smile on my face and the joy of the Lord in my heart? Well, it's songs like "Ooklah The Punk" that is doing it to me-and doing it to me in a very big way:

Ooklah the punk hates everywhere he goes Says what do you know? Says how do you do? Says I am better than you. Ooklah... Smoking drinking now he's thinking Feeling like he should be kneeling Sees damnation wants salvation Ooklah the punk

What a testimonial story, and that's only a small part of what Ghoti Hook is offering up in Sumo Surprise. There are so many tracks on this project that I love, but while I'm speaking of tracks how about this one-"Tract Boy..." Can you imagine an MTV punk sound talking about handing out tracts in the street, witnessing to the saving power that can be found only through Jesus Christ? If your heart is on fire for the Lord and you want to share this message with your unsaved friends I just can't think of a better sound than Ghoti Hook.

Just looking for some all around fun? Ghoti Hook has that for you too. "Knock, Knock" puts to music what every single one of us at one time in our life has annoyed our parents (and probably some of our friends) with-the knock, knock joke. Knock, Knock; Who's there; Orange; Orange who; Orange you glad... (I didn't finish, I think you get the picture without me going on, and on).