Watashi Wa -- What's In the Way

7/10

A couple weeks before I moved into a new apartment late in the summer of 2001, I had $20 burning a hole in my pocket. I somehow ended up at the Bible and Book Center (R.I.P.) on Government Street, in the music section. I convinced a friend who worked there to let me test out the new releases. Two tracks into Watashi Wa's What's In the Way, and I handed my $20 over. Those stores were expensive, so I don't think I got much change back.
What's In the Way is Watashi Wa's second album on Bettie Rocket records. Bettie Rocket was viewed as a sort of low-rent Tooth & Nail, with the kind of bands that were often recommended with the phrase, "If you like (popular secular band the Bettie Rocket band was nowhere near as good as), you'll love (this Bettie Rocket band)." I belive I own three Bettie Rocket albums, Like David's It Started With Twelve (not as good as Deftones), E. So's International Healing (not as good as...Limp Bizkit? I can't find the CD, and I must have missed reviewing it somehow), and this. I never heard Watashi Wa's first album. From what I understand, that one was kind of standard punk, and What's In the Way eschews that for a more punk-influenced, straightforward rock sound, ala Tom Petty played by West Coast skater kids. An "if you like..." sticker wouldn't have been apt on this album because it's clear that Watashi Wa are attempting to follow their own muse. Frontman, Seth Roberts, gained a reputation as a great songwriter, eventually getting this band signed to Bettie Rocket big brother, Tooth & Nail, before performing as Eager Seas for that label, then Lakes for the Militia Group, a record label that also featured Juliette Lewis' band. The kid shows all that promise here, with some strong, memorable melodies and catchy choruses, and his bandmates aren't bad, either.
In fact, they're quite good! These kids can play! The lead guitarist is constantly showcasing riff after riff, the bassist is active and tight, and his best friend, the drummer, is jamming right along with him, rolling off some impressive fills. What's In the Way is a hidden gem. I'd be surprised if any better album came out of Bettie Rocket. the album does have its flaws, though, and most of those have little to do with the band. The low-budget production, while doing a great job of keeping each instrument clear and separate, is still quite flat and lacks punch. Just imagine that big lead guitar line at the end of "Andy" served by the million-dollar production of blink-182's Enema of the State. It would shear the crust off the moon. With the production lacking a solid punch, the songs, despite their quality, start to blend into one another, and the nearly identical mid-tempo of each doesn't help. As good as the drummer is, a better producer would have had him vary his boom-tat, boom-boom-tat, boom boom-tat, boom-boom-tat drum patterns more often. These things keep the album in merely good territory, when it could be great. But boy, does What's In the Way have some great moments.
When Roberts sings, "It's just another day in Simplesville, everyone's the same," to kick off "The Simple Road Less Traveled," it feels like a star moment. The bridge in "I'm Not You" can't help but sound huge, even with the flat production. The chorus to closer "Look," over that shredding guitar lead is incredibly impressive. I really dig this album. Underrated stuff.


1. Wrong Kind 3:38
2. I’m Not You 3:30
3. The King 2:47
4. The Simple Road Less Traveled 2:55
5. Here’s to Tomorrow 2:43
6. The Fleeting 3:50
7. Andy 4:27 8. Change of Seasons 4:08
9. The Difference a Day Makes 3:31
10. Look 3:47