Tooth and Nail has become a strange little label. When I first got into punk music in about 1997/8, they were one of the first labels that I came across thanks to their samplers and compilations, which introduced me to bands like MxPx and Craig’s Brother. But as those bands matured (and split up), the label seems to have shifted into one that spans more musical genres than ever before – including those that may not masquerade as ‘punk’ in any way, shape or form. ‘Eager Seas’ is more pop-rock than pop-punk; slicker songs more suited to The OC rather than the T&N roster of old. That’s not to say this isn’t a nice little record – because it is – but it’s more ‘nice’ than ‘good’ – more bland and pleasant than anything more enjoyable.
‘Eager Seas’ is consistently ok – some of the songs tend to tail off into another, but on the most part you can feel yourself singing along quite easily. Seth Roberts’ voice stands out on ‘Face’, while ‘Courtyard’ also stands out a country mile. But for all of the niceities that are here, it’s a little too smooth and well rounded for my tastes. Sometimes it lacks the killer punch, at others it just lacks the choruses it needs to take this band to a higher level. Tooth and Nail used to be a label that had plenty of bite, plenty of killer songs and bands you’d want to tell all your friends about. Sadly for Watashi Wa, this is just a bit dull.
tooth and nail
paul