Customer Reviews

New What Next

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Hot Water Music traditionalists have been upset with the band's recent direction since moving to Epitaph, but there have been some fine moments on their last two CDs. Both Caution and A Flight and a Crash were more extensively produced than their previous works but still featured strong rhythm sections and sincere songwriting, both of which are the standards of HWM. There were times when they seemed to be moving more toward the mainstream on those albums (Trusty Chords was somewhat formulaic in structure but unique in conviction and exceptional in musicianship) but the music was distinctly HWM. Passionate, sincere, and vulnerable but never wimpy or contrived--these were words to describe the qualities that have always been present in HWM's albums. And while their work on Epitaph may have lost a bit of the "crunch" of their early works, in many ways these qualities were more refined and more apparent. "Old Rules" and "Sunday Suit" showed that the band was still everything that you fell in love with and that they had not lost their passion for creating the music that they wanted and that they loved.

However, this CD is a disappointment and a realization of the doom and gloom over the band's direction that many have expressed after their last two albums.

From top to bottom the songs are rediculously overproduced (lay off of the freakin' reverb already!) and the spontineity and unpridictability of HWM's best compositions are nowhere to be found. The songs are predictably structured and the guitar work seems pedestrian and uninspired...not things that I would ever associate with HWM. Perhaps worst of all are the trite and disingenuine lyrics-- and if anthing is indicative of a band's decline, this is what to point to.

The newfound use of refrains stinks of corperate musicianship--lazy listeners need this symmetry in their songs to hold their attention and to give them something to humm along to. I never thought that I would have my sensibilities insulted in this way while listening to a HWM cd.

HWM was at the cutting edge of the "post hardcore emo" movement (tending more toward the hardcore) and really cut out a niche as an aggressive yet vulnerable, foreward thinking but reflexive, injured but hopeful band. But this CD is a complete regress and comes across as generic and insincere.

Well, I will always have "Turnstile," "Recliner," and "Just Don't Say You Lost It" to insipre and to motivate me.

I hate to say it, but Epitaph may have castrated Hot Water Music.

after being consistently disappointed with HWM's last 3 albums i think fans of their old sound just have to suck it up and move on. I ask myself "if i had never heard HWM before, and if this were the first album of theirs that i purchased, would i like it?". and i don't know the answer to that. all and all it is n to a bad album by any means, but still in my opinion it does not even come close to holding a candle to their older material. the production is clean, the once "best rhythm section in the business" is now dummed down, and chuck and chris learned how to sing (pretty well i might add). i like HWM as a dirty band, that dirtiness brought an overwhelming amount of emotion with it, as well as a gritty punch that the new material lacks. i lost the feeling, no pun intended. sorry that was a bad joke.

I have been a HWM fan for quite some time now, and own or have listened to all of their albums. Although the new cd lacks the "dirty and raw" sound that some fans can simply not do without, the new polish melodic sound is just as good. In my opinion this is their best work. The songs themselves are amazing, and both chuck and chris have managed to turn their throaty yelling into actual singing, while still retaining the raw quality. The musicianship is still top notch, and the rhythm section is definately not taken down. It seems as if the bass and drums are going for a smoother integration with the songs as opposed to the flashy playing of previous material. All in all, I would definately recommed this cd to any new or old fan.

honestly, i didn't think much of when i heard "End of the Line" and "All Heads Down" before this album was released. when i bought it a few days ago, i was stunned to say the least. i knew HWM had said this album would be different, but this is different than i thought it would be. i was a bit taken aback by it. this is still HWM, but don't expect this to be quite like anything done in the past.

now with that, i have to say that this album is awesome. while the vocals may not actually duel, the do switch off quite a bit. this cd proves that Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard are some of the best vocalists around, whether it be the back-of-the-throat yelling or melodic singing. Chris has also seemed to have developed a bit of a Sourthern accent on some of his singing. the production on this is much like that of the previous release, Caution. no more slobbery vocals or loose progressions, but in exchange you get easily sing-a-longable songs with tight musicianship. The New What Next is also a lot more slower/melodic than past releases. it's within the songs that actually show that restrain that this cd is the strongest. songs like "Ebb and Flow", "Under Everything", and "Ink and Lead" will stick with you like gum on the bottom of your shoe. then there are some really great rocking songs too, like "There Are Already Roses", "Poison", and "Giver". the latter song sounds like a Bouncing Souls tune, but with an earlier styled HWM chorus. The Pete of the Bouncing Souls also plays a solo on that track.

Whereas this release isn't like their old stuff, it still is great. it takes a while to sink in and isn't as quite as accessible as Caution. Hot Water Music has changed it up with this one and has made another passionate, yet interesting release. the songwriting/lyrics have gotten better over the years, but still aren't too poetic to not be HWM. this is real. Hot Water Music CAN DO NO WRONG.

I got this HWM album first, so I have a special liking for it. I honestly despise it when people insult this as its not the same as previous works. Am I the only one who doesnt care?

I love it when a band evolves, as long as its a good evolution. This is, my version of the album starts with Poison, not at track nine. So anyway, I buy this album, get back in the car and slap it in the CD player. "I could waste away with politics!.." It was an intense, fantastic start to an album.

"All Heads Down" was however the first HWM song I ever heard. It gets a little repetitive after a while, but that doesnt stop it being a really good song. The riff is awesome.

This album is melodic in comparison to older HWM. It takes some listening to, Ill give you that. But when you listen you discover a new favourite track. For example, "My Little Monkey Wrench" went unnoticed to me for about 5 listens before I went, wow, sick track. "Under Everything" and "There Are Already Roses" I always listen to together, they compliment each other nicely.

"Poison", "The End Of The Line" and "This Early Grave" are the easiest to get into, and probably the best tracks the album offers. Its so easy to breeze over the other tracks, but if you have the patience to listen to the other tracks on this album, you will be pleasantly surprised.

I've been a Hot Water Music fan since they released what I think is far and away the album of the 90s, No Division. To say that this band is great would be an understatement, as 5 near-perfect full-lengths, as well as numerous live albums, splits, and comps would attest to.

I've listened to "The New What Next" at least ten times already, and here is the glaring problem: it's catchy. Harmonized choruses, emotion-laced guitar riffs, and poorly-written lyrics characterize this album. Catchy may be good for some bands, but it is the opposite of what we fans of the boys from Gainseville have come to expect.

To be honest, if Chuck's voice wasn't so distinguishable, I'd question whether this was really even Hot Water Music. That unbelievable grit that characterized songs like 220 Years, Jet-Set Ready, or Paper Thin is absent from every track on this album. Those offbeat harmonies that come at strange times and in strange tones (another GREAT thing about this band) have been replaced with perfectly-sung harmonies that can only be described as Blink 182-esque.

Hot Water Music has never been a radio-friendly band, as their underproduce, vinyl-on-sandpaper sound probably wouldn't appeal to wide audiences. That same sound appealed to me, and legions of rabid fans that frequent their unbelievable live shows. That sound is gone.

Maybe this is just a misstep in an otherwise perfect tenure. I pray that it is, but this album is over-produced, over-simplified ("I will be under everything/ I'm getting closer than you think"--better lyrics, please), and is simply not Hot Water Music.

This is not an album for the HWM purists, but might be enjoyed by a more mass-market-oriented audience.

All I can say is, please come back--I miss the real Hot Water Music.

Alright... people have been complaining about this album and I have to disagree with them. Now, I am not a crazy HWM fan and have been skipping around with their albums; I have loved everything that I have heard so far. Now, this particular album does sound different from the rest, for it is not as raw and aggressive as the past albums. However, it does have a great sound. I think that it is good that HWM is changing, and they have been through all of their albums. I think that the next cd will be the real ice breaker... because HWM has now experimented with a TOTALLY different sound and what they choose to do with it with the next album will be what will make fans either go crazy or rip their hairs out.

To HWM die hard fans, this album may be a let down because it is not as hardcore as the previous albums. But I think the music is still as good and is in fact getting better. Some people say that they want music that sounds like other albums that they have written but... that just kills what HWM is. They experiment with new sounds with every album. Let them do that... it's who they are.

So, I am giving this a five star because their music is still good... and because of their bravery for taking new steps in foreign territory. Keep on goin' HWM!

I say that with no doubts, this record is the best release of 2004, and the best yet from HWM. The tracklisting was changed for the final release, but it only strengthens the album. "All Heads Down," "Bottomless Seas" and "This Early Grave" are reason enough to own this record, but there are absolutely no weak tracks. Hot Water Music keeps improving on their already great history.

from "poison", to "the giver" there isn't a lame or unnessesary moment. the whole thing is completely awesome. one of their best albums if not the best. its certainly one of my favorites. it's cool, crisp and catchy. what a sweet thing to experience.

I have to admit I was expecting a lot more out of this album. It isn't that I am pissed about mass marketing or other crap like that, its just that I find myself skipping songs on this album, which I have never done on any HWM release before. There are maybe 3 or 4 good songs on the album, but only one standout, "Giver". Not horrible album, but definately not the greatest either.