Go Time hail from Chicago and their album 'Speak' is a concoction of powerful sounding guitars that mix pop sensibilities with elements of rock and overtones of the best the guitar noise bands from down the years. They have gone for a low-fi sound that allows the energy contained within each song to come across unencumbered by any glossy production values. The arrangements and playing throughout the album is tight and very well executed.
'Rust to Rust' is a great burst of energy with controlled guitar screams underpinning thrashy punky guitar rythmns.'Hey Day' is full of drive that encompasses all the best elements of 60's garage rock and also has suggestions of band such as early 90's Brit noise merchants Ride. 'No Sense to Lend' is a slower paced number, but the guitars still bite like hell, whilst still being melodic and attractive.
Singer Scott Niekelski's vocals sit well over the top of the roaring guitars and has a slightly detached but authoritative tone which just adds to the whole sense of urgency that pervades the album from start to finish, even in their quieter moments.
If you're into bands that just cut to the chase with their songwriting and get on with getting their message across with the minimum of fuss, but without dispensing with the necessary hooks needed to draw you in then 'Speak' will be right up your street. If this is a sign of the start of a trend towards this type of music, then I will be the first in the queue for more of it. Buy it!
Reviewed by Kevin Wallbank
08/19/09
