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Album Details

• Artist: Hot Water Music
• Album: The New What Next
• Label: Epitaph
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-12-02

I have to admit that I have only been a Hot Water Music fan since they hit the Epitaph folds. I know, I know, I should go back and check out their roots but I like what I hear now. I'm not going to risk destroying that by finding out that their roots are better or worse than what I am listening to now. The Epitaph era does mean that it's three albums in now. It seems like such a short time ago when I was exposed to A Flight and A Crash but that was back in 2001. Anyway, The New What Next could easily be the next big thing. They really haven't dropped anything out of their mix but I think this album is probably their most accessible to date. The music is like an emo style Bad Religion. In principle. That emo thing might bring a lot of criticism but hear me out. Save for the lyrics, The New What Next has that sort of sound, not lyrics though. You don't hear Chuck Ragan or Chris Wollard whining about their girlfriends, now do you. You really can't deny that this album sounds inspired. It doesn't have all the hooks that your mall-punk has but that's not the point of Hot Water Music. This music is more intelligent and even more complicated and complete. It's the kind of music that grows with you with every listen. It's not abrasive and yet it's still fairly heavy. There are hooks involved and yet they don't reach out and grab you immediately. Brian McTernan was brought in again for production and for good reason too. This guy know what HWM is all about and how to push their buttons. Have a listen to "Ebb and Flow" and tell me that this is the same band who put out A Flight and a Crash. It's mellow but very intelligent. I'm seeing a Sparta similarity popping up here. It's funny to hear fans rant about this band, they either love this stage of Hot Water Music or they hate it. No in between. I happen to love it.

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