ALBUM REVIEW: Girth Control Refuse to Grow Up on new EP — Thank Goodness
Photo by Bryan Lasky
“When they lament, “I might not be making money, but I made a bunch of real cool friends”, one has to believe that statement is true.”
I always say that my reviews are ‘first impressions,’ meaning that I write the review the very first time I hear the record, in real time, so that the review captures my true first impression.
This time was different.
I was sitting at home, having just finished work, when I got a message from Jay of Girth Control letting me know that he was sending an advance copy of their new EP for me to check out. Being a big Girth Control fan, I dove in immediately and listened to the entire thing before deciding to review it. So, in full disclosure, this is a ‘second impression’ review.
This four song EP begins with the title-track, “Life's Too Short Pt. II”, a seven-plus minute epic that expands on the ideas of “Life’s Too Short.” Why are they doing this if they will never be rockstars? Haven't they had enough fun (and beer) and is the applause from the other bands worth it?
When they lament, “I might not be making money, but I made a bunch of real cool friends,” one has to believe that statement is true.
Girth Control are joined by plenty of real cool friends on this EP by way of guest instrumentalists and vocalists, as well as remixes. “Life's Too Short Pt. II” features Justin Belden of PWRUP on trombone, Heather Mack of Pink Slip on lead vocals, and Matt Elia on tenor sax, a former bandmate of the Girth dudes from their days in the band Public Access.
Girth Control are known for not only their upbeat, ska-punk tunes, but also their rapier-sharp wit and clever lyrics and “Life's Too Short Pt. II” is no exception. When Mack comes in with her part, apparently playing the role of a spouse or partner to the protagonist in the song, I genuinely laughed out loud at the accuracy of her lines.
“I’m trying to be supportive. I know that you're following your dreams. I don’t hear too much rehearsing, but I sure do smell a lot of weed.”
Between the hilarity of her verse and the talent with which she delivers it, Mack may be my favorite moment on the EP, even if she only appears for a few brief seconds.
While “Lifes Too Short Pt. II” is the only brand new song on the EP, the remixes and full reimagining of songs from last year’s full-length, Life’s Too Short, are so fresh that they are essentially brand new songs.
Track two is “Work Shirts (Couchsleeper Arbeitshemden Remix)”, which is a techo-inspired remix that somehow remains fully faithful to the original. Even when using digital instrumentation and a thumping bass-driven beat, the heart of “Work Shirts” is still in there. The way that Couchsleeper weaves their own personality into the song, while keeping the humanity and humor prevalent is nothing short of genius. It’s manic, has a breakneck pace, and would be right at home being spun at literally any rave or dance club on the planet.
Then “Neverending Coffee (Todd Richards Neverending Dub Remix)” takes the EP in a different direction. Once again, we get a remix that is spot-on for its style, but this time it is a brilliant dub remix that omits a fair amount of the lyrics, and instead focuses on working the amazing instrumental work on the song.
The final song on the EP is “Beer Every Bong.” This remix remains the most true to the original, but the embellishments and flourishes that Levia put into it, really take the song to a higher plane. It’s lounder, more brash and just simply amazing. The production is so bright and crisp on this one, that I would love to hear an entire Girth Control album remixed by Levia.
It really is that fucking good.
While this may be a more mature, cultured Girth Control, I have it on good authority that they will not, in fact ever “grow up.” Which is news this world could use right about now.
Life’s Too Short Pt. II is out on all major streaming services tomorrow, March 11th. Keep an eye out for it on Bandcamp.
