Customer Reviews

Forever & Counting

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a confession to make: I don't care about an artist's technical wizardry. I'll take good music in any form it comes. In this case, good music has come in the form of a surgically precise blend of emo and hardcore.

From the very outset of "Translocation," you can tell this is something different. At the same time, you can't stop nodding your head. Like in a 6th grade sex-education video, you will quickly find yourself asking, "What's happening to my body?" Such is the power of Hot Water Music. The production is so bare-bones, the vocals so unpolished that by the time you get to "Manual", you'll start to feel like you're part of the band.

Though it's tough to describe their sound in writing, there are some easily recognized Hot Water Music trademarks. First, the drummer and bassist are actually jazz-trained musicians. In between pounding, emo-drenched choruses, the rhythm section catches you off-guard with beats that you're not going to find in any other punk band.

Vocally, "Forever and Counting" is so sloppy that I often felt the urge to wipe the spit off the faces of these guys. But therein lies the charm. You'll also notice the incessant use of vocal harmonies that are a half-step off, just begging to be resolved.

Hot Water Music has put out a lot of other releases, but in my mind, none of them has ever recaptured the raw power displayed here in Forever and Counting. If you have any interest in punk at all, this is essential. One of my top five favorite albums.

I have to disagree with the last review, even though they have put out a lot of CDs, its only because they are the most hard working bands in the biz. They are always touring non-stop and pumping out incredable CDs. Now then, back to the CD, the opener "Translocation" is probably the best song to start off with when you pop it into your CD player ( The only other one better is "220 years"). The songs hits a place in your spirit, all you wanna do is mosh. And thats what is so great about this CD, each song flows perfectly, almost as well as "Moonpies for Misfits". Finally, when the best song ever comes into play, "Manual" ( In fact this is probably one of the best songs they perform live, you really feel the emotion comming off the guitars and the vocals.) the song itself feels like it lasts "forever", HWM's songs put you into some proverbial emocore trance like no other band can, and this is one of them. Next off is "Minno", trully a great harmonic song, perfect harmonizing and drumming. And how can I forget the double bass drumming on "Man the Change"!? Shew just buy this CD even if you've never heard of them before, might take time to get used to them, but trust me, they'll be your favorite band in no time.

It pulls no punches. Loud, bulldog voiced anthems of hope, overcoming, endurance, ressurection, defiance, agony, power and dissent. Some of the most honest and raw stuff you will hear. No frills. Nothing unnecessary. Just business as usual as one of the world's best bands streamlined their act, back in '97. No navel-gazing, no brooding. The vocal dymanic between Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard is perfected on this Disc: The way they work their call/response/shouting/singing... it's like they reinvent the wheel. Songs that change and shift. Songs that crash and tear. Songs that make you shout along. NO BAD TRACKS! Precision thundering drums, power chords that play off each other to build higher like a cathedral's towers- and (a real rarity) melodic, propulsive bass-playing. All you cold ask for. Get this. And pick up the rest too! Technically, this would be their third, though in all honesty it's number 2 for me, as I start counting with "Fuel for the Hate Game." Their first good, if not great, release (4 stars). "Finding The Rhythms," their true first, is pretty damn awful. So you have permission to skip, but only for that one CD.

...Great beards too. takes me back.

The first time I saw Hot Water Music, Chuck threw a 1 1/2 ounce whiskey bottle off the stage and split my forehead open. This album reminds me of that show; it gives me a headache and makes me want to punch that guy in the teeth.

This album took about 3 listens, and I was hooked. I'm definitely going to look into getting more from this band.

To describe their music, take the best elements of Samiam, Fugazi and Fuel (Fuel being the east bay punk band, not the lame pop band). There you have Hot Water Music. If I were in a band, this is the music I would strive to play.

Emotion, sincerity, intensity, and aggression...you've got it all here. These guys are easily the best, most meaningful band around nowadays. PERIOD!

Hot Water Music has made a name for themselves by perfectly concocting the rough edges of hardcore punk with unbelievable original melodies that are as beautiful as they are crafted. No band will ever compare the their patented sound. 'Forever and Counting' was the first full length LP released by the band, and is without a doubt their smoothest. 'Just Don't Say You Lost It' and 'Minno' have a higher pedigree of sentimentality then most of the group's latter songs, yet songs like 'Manual' and 'Three Summers Strong' contain the Fugazi-ish hardedged melodies. Chuck's bass still flows and Jason's voice still sounds like a drunken madman, and it is proof that though not excactly the same, Hot Water Music have utilized their elements correctly through the course of their recording career.

After hearing so much about Hot Water Music I finally got a chance to hear their music when Forever and Counting was lent to me by a friend. This album absoloutely blows the doors down! The basslines are amazing and the guitars just plain rock. The vocals are very raw as is the recording, but I enjoy it that way. This C.D. had me playing the airdrums in my car and screaming the lyrics while driving. I love the lyrics, they hit you in the right in the stomach and the heart.

If you are new to hwm, buy this one first. Straight Outta Gainesville (FL), this band puts together one of the most interpretive emo lps I've ever heard. Better to hear their outro guitar fades with all the snazzy pauses LIVE, but since we can't all do that, buy the album.

I saw them after they came out with this, I think it was '99, amazing cd and performance. I like some of their newer stuff also but this is the one.