This Time It's Personal

Scratching Post took a bit of a chance with this late-2000 release. In an attempt at musical expansion, the metallic-edged Ontario quartet worked with Ann Arbor, MI, producers Chris and Drew Peters. Incendiary alt-rock and hints of electronica were brought in to complement the band's scathing pop-punk stylings. The resulting This Time It's Personal is smoldering, dark, and has a center that is like the heart of a volcano. The middle point of the recording is where Scratching Post lays down their thickest and hottest hooks, propelled by sassy punk chords and assertive vocals. "Pants Down" is lively and sexy, "Keep Looking My Way" and "Dragonfire" are sensual and self-aware, while "Make It Easy" is melodically playful and danceable. Lead singer Nicole Hughes boldly embraces her self-actualizing/in-your-face posture as the modern-day femme fatale who is powerful, poetic, and provocative. This young band bares its teeth on This Time It's Personal and clearly establishes its bite.