Listen to Hot Water Music’s new album on SPIN
Music News | May 11th, 2012
The new Hot Water Music album Exister is almost out, but in the meantime you can listen to the new album at SPIN. From what I heard, it sounds great! If you’re lucky, you can see the band perform these songs at Bamboozle on May 19th and 20th, or at Gramercy Theatre on May 21st-22nd. Listen to the album stream here.
Their first album since The New What Next in 2004, Exister finds the band perhaps a wee bit worldlier but no less fiery. Launching with Chris Wollard’s guitar attack and Chuck Ragan’s trademark gravelly vocals, opening track “Mainline” proves that they haven’t lost their bite. With Chris taking over vocal duties in “Boy, You’re Gonna Hurt Someone”, the propulsive rhythm section of Jason Black on bass and George Rebelo on drums takes their signature post-punk soar and punctuates it with intricate fretwork far more dexterous than bands ten years their junior. From the soaring “Drag My Body” to the garage-y “Wrong Way” to the anthemic “The Traps”, Exister is the sound of a band whose chemistry is undeniable and in perfect sync. While some bands may be urged to always reply that their current album is their favorite, with Hot Water Music, it seems this is actually the case. When asked which of the tracks are the most special to him, Jason replied, “All of them. Literally. We recorded 13 and all 13 made the record, which is the first time that’s ever happened.”
HOT WATER MUSIC on Tour
May 16 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, PA
May 18 Foufounes Electriques Montreal, Canada
May 19 North Beach Asbury Park
* Bamboozle * Asbury Park, NJ
May 20 North Beach Asbury Park
* Bamboozle * Asbury Park, NJ
May 21 Gramercy Theatre New York, NY
May 22 Gramercy Theatre New York, NY
May 24 The Satellite Los Angeles, CA
May 26 The Glasshouse Pomona, CA“[Exister] finds the quartet returning to their roots in aggressive, emotionally volatile music.” – Rolling Stone
“Exister serves as a reminder that the thousands of bands aping this style of punk will never be as great as Hot Water Music (4.5 stars)” – Alternative Press
“Given this brilliant return, there’s a good chance they’re still your favourite band’s favourite band. (KKKK) – Kerrang!
“BOOM!” – Rock Sound
“It would be refreshing to hear more contemporary rock and roll acts perform with the caliber of musicianship that is showcased in this collection of songs.” -Aquarian Weekly
“…a great balance of refining their sound while still maintaining what made them great all those years ago.” -Blow the Scene
“Hot Water Music have hit it out of the park once again. Exister is everything that is right about Hot Water Music, before the scene became hijacked by pop-punk.” -Redefine Magazine
“From the truly inspired songwriting and stellar musicianship to the obviously passionate vocal performance delivering some of the most painfully honest lyrics of their career, this record fires on all cylinders in every possible way… I don’t think I’ve ever heard Chuck’s or Chris’s vocal performances sound this inspired or urgent. Their craft is so finely honed at this point, I have no idea how they will improve from here.” -Stereokiller
