Even though this spiffy disc spends a lot of time in the predictable modern rock mode of “let’s put the vocals through this tiny speaker for four bars, then blast everyone’s ears off for the next four,” it’s worth hearing that hoary trick again for the added bonus of Ron Hornbeck’s expert snarl. When he’s spilling bile, it’s good and when he’s spilling bile and clawing his way through a sing-songy chorus like the one on “It’s Over,” it’s even better. And though I may piss off our Asian readers, I’ll say it anyway: ETO’s got a song called “Mothra” that’s better than one sung by a lonely Japanese kid in the movie of the same name!
Serene Dominic writes about music for Metro Times. Send comments to [email protected].
