In an era when rock’s raw spirit is all too often filtered through glossy, overproduced layers, Go Time!’s X emerges as a defiant rallying cry—a record that not only echoes the past glories of untamed rock but also challenges our modern complacency. In the tradition of rock’s most uncompromising critics, I find in X an album that roars, stumbles, and ultimately soars, driven by the conviction of four battle-hardened musicians.
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Frontman Scott Niekelski, handling vocals, guitar, and keyboards, anchors the album with a voice that’s both rugged and sincere. Alongside him, Steve Grzenia on drums and backing vocals pounds out rhythms with the kind of urgency that recalls the raw power of early rock ’n’ roll. Paul Schmidt’s guitar work dances between blistering solos and subtle, haunting licks, while Mark Marketti’s bass provides the earthy underpinning that ties the band’s sonic narrative together.
The album opens with “Cost Time Commitment,” a track that immediately grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. It’s a boisterous, unrelenting opener that sets the tone for what’s to follow—a reminder of the visceral impact that rock music can deliver when it refuses to compromise. The song’s relentless guitars and pounding drums evoke images of sweaty basement gigs and back-alley punk shows, a far cry from the sanitized offerings of contemporary rock radio.
Then comes “What I Needed,” a track that takes a detour into more playful territory. Here, Niekelski’s vocals soften slightly, and the band toys with unexpected textures—there’s even a brief, almost tongue-in-cheek appearance by a kazoo. It’s an audacious choice, one that underscores Go Time!’s willingness to experiment, yet it never detracts from the song’s inherent rock sensibility. This isn’t a calculated gimmick; it’s an embrace of the absurdities of life, laid out over a steady, assured beat.
“Turning Tides” is a study in brevity and impact. In just two minutes, the track bursts with a kinetic energy that manages to encapsulate the album’s restless spirit. It’s a short, sharp shock of sound—a reminder that sometimes less is infinitely more when every note is honed to perfection. The track’s concise execution is a testament to the band’s ability to strip down their approach without sacrificing intensity.
Midway through the album, “Complicated Truth” offers a more reflective counterpoint. The song’s layered guitars and plaintive lyrics delve into the complexities of life and relationships with a sense of honesty that’s both jarring and beautiful. It’s in these quieter moments that Go Time! reveals its depth, reminding us that even amidst the chaos of life’s battles, there is a profound beauty in the raw truth of our experiences.
“Damaged Goods,” another standout, lays bare the emotional toll of life’s inevitable struggles. Here, the interplay between Schmidt’s expressive guitar work and Marketti’s grounding bass creates a soundscape that is both mournful and defiant. It’s an emotional catharsis wrapped in a hard-rock veneer, and it’s impossible not to be moved by its sincerity.
X is, in many ways, a love letter to the enduring power of rock. It carries the weight of Go Time!’s history—a history steeped in the gritty realities of life on the road, personal health battles, and the resilience required to overcome them. In an age where “dad rock” is often dismissed as relics of a bygone era, this album reminds us that true rock isn’t about age—it’s about spirit, passion, and the refusal to bow to convention.
For those willing to immerse themselves in its raw energy and heartfelt authenticity, X is nothing short of a revelation. It’s an album that demands to be heard, its every chord a declaration of rebellion against the banal and the mediocre. Go Time! has delivered a record that stands as a powerful reminder of what rock music can and should be.
Mindy McCall
