One year ago Girth Control dropped a 25 track 45 minute album called “Life’s Too Short For Girth Control”, but apparently 25 songs just weren’t enough, and they really felt like it needed just a little more, so now they released a second volume, 4 more tracks to conclude the “Life’s Too Short” era. And 25 songs in 45 minutes? That’s under 2 minutes per track. Girth Control would never leave you feeling like you didn’t get your money’s worth on average song length. Volume II starts off with a seven-and-a-half-minute long track appropriately titled “Life’s Too Short Volume 2”.
For those that may be unfamiliar with Girth Control, they are a New York ska band seemingly predicated on the idea that life is only worth living if you’re having fun. Never take things too seriously, and do what brings you joy. Their style tends to be fun, third-wave ska punk and their sound is infectious. Aging fathers, drinking, smoking, growing up, but not giving up on the things that bring them joy, but also being cognizant of the world around them. I think those are the primary themes of “Life’sToo Short” as we step foot into Volume II.
“Life’s Too Short Part 2” is a direct response to the opening track from the previous album- a ballad that came in under 60 seconds that lamented that there wasn’t enough time in the day to be as irresponsible as they would like. Part two begins as the same piano-driven ballad, a thank you to all the good times, a shout out to the naps, the floors and couches they’ve crashed on, the video games, the drinks, and beer bongs, and it’s full of big power chords, but then they hit the switch, the drums pick up, and the ballad hits the realm of hardcore and ska punk. A new voice chimes in, scolding the band, it’s time to grow up and move on, telling The band they are too old to be playing shows for drinks and halfhearted applauses. The third change up is a more upbeat punk rhythm, mindless, redundant, yet catchy, as the band ruminates on the temptation to quit, to move on and focus on other priorities, but life is too short to give up. A ska rhythm jumps and reminds the band that life’s too short to not take advantage of every opportunity to do what you love. If you can’t live doing what you love then you’re not living life at all. A few more changes, a verse by Heather Mack from Pink Slip, a power chords guitar solo, and a ballad closing all help keep the seven-and-a-half minute song fresh as Girth Control delivers their Magnum Opus for the world to hear, spelling out their entire reason to exist in no uncertain terms. In addition to Heather Mack, this track also features Justin Belden from PWRUP, and Matt Elia from Public Access.
So, Girth Control is a trio of aging dads writing 90s influenced third wave ska punk music with some 80s power ballads thrown in for good measure, and they are adding an addendum to their last album. Where do you go for the second track, except to remix one of the songs from the previous album? I’m excited to see that the track they remixed is “Work Shirts”, one of my favorite tracks because of its inherent political undertones of working-class dissatisfaction that even the least political person relates to. Eager, and somewhat trepidatiously, I brace myself for the unknown. What is a Couchsleeper Remix?
Couch Sleeper is the EDM alter ego of Chris Jordan, a friend and former member of the band, and “Work Shirts” is his debut recorded song. I did not have a dance and EDM version of Work Shirts anywhere on my list of expectations, but holy shit does this work. The beat is right up my alley, hype af, and gets me pumped every time. Helluva good mix!
The next track is a dub remix of another song from the previous album, this time by Todd Richard, and it’s a nice little dub/ reggae jam. It’s nice and exactly what you would love in a dub track, but following the epicness of Life’s Too Short and the hype of Work Shirts, it feels a little out of place.
The final song on the 4 track EP is a remix of “Beer every Bong” by Swedish artist and friend, Levia. It’s another dance mix, with big beats mixed in with the heavy horn lines and catchy rhythms of the original. It’s a great mix and all three remixes add so much texture to the original songs, taking them from the realm of ska, but also leaving in enough elements that make the songs feel familiar and exciting, and not foreign or lost.
This four-song EP is offered for free download on Bandcamp as a thank you from the band to everyone for supporting their dreams of having fun and doing whatever makes them happy. The world is dark and ugly, make your life as happy as you can. Life’s too short for Girth Control.
Written by Gimp Leg
