Therapy?

A slight return to punk and hard rock form, Shameless records a Therapy? intent on capturing its own late-'80s/early-'90s rock underground aesthetic with just a bit more melodic shimmer. This 2001 release for Miles Copeland's Ark 21 label is tuneful like Troublegum for sure, but not to the detriment of Therapy?'s edgy guitar aesthetic. Some almost perky punk rock ("Gimme Back My Brain," "Joey") calls to mind classics by the Ramones and Rocket From the Crypt, while the borderline alternative metal ("Dance,") sounds convincingly true. A quirkier tone on numbers like "Body Bag Girl" is also prevalent on Shameless, announcing the group's official break with the maudlin Infernal Love period. This is probably for the better, but not in time to reclaim any mid-'90s commercial momentum. Fans of Therapy? should be interested in this record, as it is perhaps the band's best in years, but the appeal of Shameless doesn't extend beyond the Irish band's loyal base. ~ Jason Anderson, All Music Guide