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 | Hot Water MusicThe New What Next2004 Epitaph 
 Review by: Scott See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on September 24th 2004
I'll let you in on a little secret: Music reviewers, such as myself, tend to get albums prior to their street date, in hopes that we'll review said disc before it comes out to help build hype. Such was the case with the new Hot Water Music album, The New What Next - I've had a burn of it in a paper sleeve from Epitaph since late July, and have listened to that CD-R more times than I can count. But here's where the kicker comes in: About two weeks ago, the finished version of the album shows up in my mailbox, and surprise of surprises, the album has been completely re-sequenced. Only one of the disc's 12 tracks remained in the same place (that song being "The End Of The Line," one of the best songs HWM have ever put to tape). The rest of the album was jumbled up beyond all recognition. To the normal consumer this makes no difference, because you never knew otherwise. But to those of us who are supposed to find some sort of emotional attachment with said album so we can be inspired enough to write about, it's difficult. Essentially, this album has an identity crisis. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
this album is DAMN good, but deffinately not my favorite. probably the worst of their Epitaph releases, but also better than some other things they've released... but i still dunno why everyone hates Finding the Rhythms... i mean, Chris' vocals on it weren't that great, but that's about it! i dunno. i'm rambling... This was probably their wost album in my opinion... it just didn't have enough spirit for me. i also had an advance of this and thought it was alright, but i really enjoy the re-sequenced retail version more. After a year and a half with this album, I now think it's by far their best Epitaph release. It's not that this is an especially bad record, but it just doesn't compare with most of their previous albums. Fuel For The Hate Game is the best album I've ever had. The vocals are at their roughest here, but the dual guitars cannot be beaten. The energy that record gives is awesome. From there the energy has drained away some. There were lots of filler tracks on their last two records, although Caution had its moments, but I never saw this coming, not the sounds, the new artwork, nothing. So many tracks on The New What Next just don't seem to work. Giver was a pretty solid track, but it was the last one, and it seemed out of place. Hopefully their next record will be as good as I know they can be, because if they continue to go in this vein it would be a waste and a damned shame. Good music is hard to come by, especially in England. Simply amazing. I've been a fan for years, and I can't say this is better or worse than any of their old works (Fuel for the Hate Game for instance). It's just different. It's really nothing like the old stuff. I loved the old stuff. And I love this new stuff too. You kind of have to think of it as two seprate bands. The OLD HWM and the NEW HWM. Those who don't get it, probably just aren't listening to it in the right way. When I first listened to HWM, I just thought, "eh". But the more I listened to it, the more I started to hear the genius in the music. The intricacies in the guitar work, the poetic lyrics, and the way they present it is a one in a million occurance in today's scene. And for the last time, HWM is NOT emo. Nobody can even define emo, and whatever the fuck it was, it died a while ago. HWM is just good music. Leave it at that. Wow... That's really all I should have to say but... continued from b4 also 'there are already roses' chorus sounds like it was cut off 'there are already roses on the grave..................' This album was decent, yet I still don't have that same feeling I did after listening to caution. Although true in most cases, I really don't like it when people like to think that the first album from any band is automatically their best. Although 'Forever and Counting' is a terrific album with songs like 'better sense, just don't, and position' being my favorites. Hot Water Music seemed to find themselves on 'Caution.' Where up and down the cd were all great songs that flowed on to give you that ultimate great feeling at the end. Although, this cd does have it's high points with 'end of the line, there are already roses, and giver.' The rest just seem to be a jumbled mess. Also, 'there are already roses' why do different sites (epitaph, amazon, etc) list the tracklisting in different orders? is there diff. order released CDs or are some sites just retarded? I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just can't seem to get into this band... Not bad, after a couple of listens I still rate Caution higher, hopes it grows on me A solid release. But not the most memorable record by these upstanding gentlemen. But a good listen, nonetheless. I thought it was a decent album. It does sound really nice, but I just can't get over how much they just don't sound like THEM anymore. I don't want this super-melodic nonsense, I want my old No Division HWM back. It's like when they hit Epitaph, all the raw energy vanished. You can actually see the progression through A Flight and A Crash before it peaks and levels out on Caution and The New What's Next. This Band saved my life as well. I love what this band stands for. THis record is alright. Of course there's better...*cough* Forever and Counting *cough*...but it's a great band, great intelligent lyrics...bands like this, they just don't come up anymore. The only band I can think of that would even come close is A Wilhelm Scream. Those two bands are the only bright signs of hope in this dismal dilluted genre. Better than Caution for sure. "oh and by the way, the new Sum 41 single "We're All to Blame" is the best song they've ever made... and yes I hated their last 2 albums." oh and by the way, the new Sum 41 single "We're All to Blame" is the best song they've ever made... and yes I hated their last 2 albums. "Its like i always say, an average HWM or Strung out song is still above average when compared to most current bands." simple plan,good charlotte and sum 41. "Jimmy eat world .already downloaded itīs good argh, gotta get this. review the album and the songs, i really don't care about the sequence of the songs. get over it, dork. Jimmy eat world .already downloaded itīs good "itīs sad that these guys, green day and flogging molly has released their records cause what the hell is there to look forward too now!? Strung Out and Tom Waits, moron. itīs sad that these guys, green day and flogging molly has released their records cause what the hell is there to look forward too now!? i dont care if this album sucks or not! everyone is missing the point. if your looking for music to - think about your girl, drive around windows down, show off, be punk, your looking in the wrong direction. this band saved my life, hands down. they fucking saved my life. so for that, i thank them, by buying every god damn thing they put out. if a band can do that......they are right on. its all in the words girls and boys! oh...forget about minor threat (the guy with the stupid post down a few), at least listen to rites of spring or fugazi. come on. KIDS THESE DAYS???? itīs kinda funny that "the end of the line" has the same intro as blink 182īs "feeling this"... I think peoples opinion of HWM changes based on when they got into them. I didnt' get into them until 2000, and 'a flight...' was the first cd of theirs i got. Then I got "caution" then "no division". I like "no division" the least out of those 3...but people that got into them in the 90's tend to think otherwise. oh, and yea, this band doesn't rip off alkaline trio OR thursday. and yes, they've matured. you can't make the same album 12 times. god forbid they grow up. I never thought No Division was their best. Fuel for the Hate Game and Caution always ruled the school for me .. this album is just Caution, part 2. Good for them. This is their ninth album. EP/7" comps should still count as full-lengths, since each one has its own distinct sound. ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! this band is so horrible, go listen to minor threat "i dont know, i think this band rips off alkaine trio too much" i dont know, i think this band rips off alkaine trio too much The band doesn't consider Finding The Rhythms a "real" album since it grew out of demos and a 7". They consider their first true album Fuel For The Hate Game. to the guy at the top who wasn't sure if he was going to see Strung Out or Hot Water Music...if there was ever a question in your little pop riffed mind please surrender any and all HWM materials on your person. Wake up honkey, Strung Out suck, like there was ever a contest?!!?!? "Does Under Everything sound alot like a little bit mellower version of Alright For Now?" "When Scott said that they could stand to not be so tight, I almost fell off my seat. Are you fucking for real? When Scott said that they could stand to not be so tight, I almost fell off my seat. Are you fucking for real? Change that, not sound's like, but remind you of... Does Under Everything sound alot like a little bit mellower version of Alright For Now? DEAR BRETT GUREWITZ: neverender isn't technically a full length... it's a collection. mine has a sticker on it... stating it's their sixth full length... i thought it was their seventh? i agree with the guy a few posts down. if anything, the stuff on this record sounds like "Finding the Rhythm." And, personally, after seeing them live, "Giver" is probably my favorite track - the chorus is just unfuckwithable. Well said (person below me, twice). oops. i spelled gainesville wrong. i knew that. this review, and 90% of the comments are upsetting. how many of you are in touring bands? how many of you have ever written and recorded an album? it actually offends me when people always mention their previous albums, because it doesn't really have anything to do with the fact that they just released a new one. an amazing album that a majority of you probably listened to less than five times. i'm going to tell you a little secret (kind of like the one about reviewers being special and recieving albums before "common people"), the reason anything before "a flight and a crash" sounds like that, is because they didn't have any money! luckily for music fans, they have had the chance to make records like "caution", and "the new what next". maybe if it was recorded in someone's bathroom in gainsville, and they used tin cans for drums, some of you would enjoy it more. i honestly believe that "the new what next" has the most in common with some of their earlier releases. "keep it together" could have easily been on "forever and counting" and "the end of the line" screams the earlier hot water sound, they've just gotten a lot better at writing songs and making albums. as for the review, i don't think anyone cares about you're "emotional attatchment" to an old sequence, because they obviously weren't satisfied with it. i think that was a very odd topic to base an entire review on. on a personal note i'm a little suprised that there wasn't really any mention of "under everything". it's one of the best songs i have ever heard. i guess my point is, next time any of you put you're hearts and souls into something, i hope somebody behind you is telling you you're doing it all wrong. I liked it better when it was called Guns N' Roses Ever notice how most HWM fans, I mean no-doubt, balls-out HWM fans are very quick to defend the band? If my friend says that he doesn't like HWM, I get upset. HWM is OG Gainesville emocore. i'll admit, i had this record on my computer long before it came out. I like it, i don't think its the "must have" record that Jason Black wants everyone to think it is, but it kicks A Flight and A Crash in the balls for sure. gotta go ahead and disagree w/ your review. I never heard the first sequencing, so i am unbiased. horrible horrible horrible. What happened to the band I once loved. gone is that perfect bass sound, sludgy guitar, shoted vocals. they just sound like a bog standard band now. hot water is good emo, but not the best punk band out there." I love how HWM records grow on you over time. It was a good idea waiting a couple of months to review this thing, so you could best describe it. I'm realling getting into this now, and yes, there is no filler "I think Guttermouth are a better band" That was a pretty bad review. It seemed like he didn't like the album at all. It wasn't until I read the last paragraph that he seemed to say it was good. Shyster's drummer played in Diesel Boy? I think Guttermouth are a better band This album rocks, it's rock. It's not really punk, it's not hardcore, it's not "emo." It's straight forward rock. One of my favorite HWM releases. It might be different than all their other stuff, but I really don't think that's a bad thing. shyster's drummer went on to play with deisel boy. i think they ended with that. Whatever happened to that band Shyster these guys used to play with? They were from Orlando, I think. this band makes me yawn hot water is good emo, but not the best punk band out there. kiddies who likes nu metal emo faggot bands like most of the people here might want to say these guys made a boring album. I miss Hot Water Music. Make Fun of me all you want but you can never rob me of my love for this album. I agree with the fellas below: Forever and Counting was their apex album. Ebb and Flow... amazing! Wait... So, Pete from the Bouncing Souls plays a guitar solo on the song that lyrically refrences a Bouncing Souls song? "One more thing I like about "Giver" - the Bouncing Souls homage ("Here we go, here we go, here we gooo!!") I guess all that touring they did together affected them." "One more thing I like about "Giver" - the Bouncing Souls homage ("Here we go, here we go, here we gooo!!") I guess all that touring they did together affected them." I heard this twice in a row and the second time was exponentially better "THIS ALBUM TAKES A WHILE TO SINK IN....but when it does WATCH THE FUCK OUT!" One more thing I like about "Giver" - the Bouncing Souls homage ("Here we go, here we go, here we gooo!!") I guess all that touring they did together affected them. "THIS ALBUM TAKES A WHILE TO SINK IN....but when it does WATCH THE FUCK OUT!" I found that upon first hearing the song "under everything" the chorus almost seems to obvious. But wait....after letting this album mature and reach your inner psyche, the aforementioned song and the remaining album are absolutely fucking brilliant. Even that Ballad where Ragen is singing "hold on" is great. THIS ALBUM TAKES A WHILE TO SINK IN....but when it does WATCH THE FUCK OUT! "...and both falter at points (like the lack of a strong closing song; the original version used "There Are Already Roses" and the retail copy taps "Giver" for duty)." "There's no room for error, and thus, no room for experimentation and creative development." Not as great as "Caution", but still good. This IS a different, more melodic HWM. Not bad, not unidentifiable, but still great. gentlement don't ask questions, they just keep quiet, and pay attention I picked this up a few days ago and it hasnt left my CD player. I absolutely love this record and I know when they tour this fall the songs will sound even better in a live setting. Thats where the true heart lies in HWM, their live performance. Fuel for the Hate Game is absolutely HWM's best. the main issue with this cd is the coverart. "This record fucking sucks. Guitar tones and riffs borrowed from Thursday. Go listen to Fuel for the Hate Game, it's their only good one. one of THEIR best 3 you fool so how does the reviewer tell us how bad this cd is compared to old hwm, but then go on to say its one of the TOP 3 CDS? that's an atrocity. oh shit bearded poppunk with a singer that sounds like he is about to cough up his lungs. this shit sounds all the same. give em poopdick. the beginning of the album reminds me of bad religion. but only for a second. I think other bands are doing the HWM sound better these days. Dude, how many times do we have to do this? I agree, Forever & Counting is BY FAR their best album. High five, gringos! Asshole below tells the world h d/ls mp3s on irc The best songs on here are "Floor" and "Western Grace." How the fuck did Tsunami Bomb get a higher rating than this?! I have had it for 2 months too. This was the original order. Totally used to it too, and must say I prefer it. Reprogramme the CD and see what you think. For me if Caution was a double album, this would be like the second record. It just sounds so like it, but a bit more laid back. am i the only person here who thinks forever and counting is their best album? they're so boring boring boring what was the original track listing? Yeah, I'm not too jazzed on this one either. Maybe they've just progressed and I'm not digging/getting it. Honestly, "The New What Next" just bored me. Better luck next time.. i love this album and it just gets better and better. i did like the original track list better, i felt that it put me in a certain mood and kept me there the entire time, where the new tracklist seems choppier. either way, an amazing album. even ebb & flow...i love that song. i thought the river bed was small brown bike's best record, and I don't miss HWM's old records. I've liked them all so far, with no division being my favorite. While I did think the epitaph albums had some filler, I still thought they were solid records. This record fucking sucks. Guitar tones and riffs borrowed from Thursday. Go listen to Fuel for the Hate Game, it's their only good one. anyway, dont buy this thing unless you want to feel a little betrayed, or something. this album is also awesome. this is probably hot water musics worst album. i would liken it to that river bed album, that small brown bike made last year. its a "get famous on college rock stations" album. the promotions company that sends it to college stations says that they have decided that "they have something to say, and like a modern day husker du, have decided to make it heard", but all they did was make it sucky. that may sound like im saying that husker du is sucky, but they arent, or werent or whatever. what im saying is that they made a bad indy rock album, when they could be making great punk albums. theres no chaos here, theres no "heartfeltness". i dont know, im not against progression, ever, but i am against change to reach a slightly larger, insignificant market like college radio. maybe they shouldnt have been touring with fucking dashboard confessional and the get up kids, or whoever they were out with. anyway, dont buy this thing unless you want to feel a little betrayed, or something. "filler doesn't exist" "The End of the Line" is indeed an absoloutely massive track. Year-end mixtape qualifying. Hell, lifetime-end mixtape qualifying (no pun intended). "My Little Monkey Wrench" and "Keep It Together" are probably my other two favorites. This band pretty much got me into the underground music scene the better part of 7 years ago. I've loved all of the cd's they have put out ever since. This one just doesnt do it for me though. When a new HWM cd came out in the past, i'd listen non stop. Not this one though. It's not terrible...its just missing something, and that something is rather intangible. I'm really dissapointed with the rearrangement of the song order. I personally think poison is the worst HWM song i've ever heard...and they made it the first track? does anyone else hate that song? filler doesn't exist" Wow, this is a really consistent review....... Oh yeah, the comment below was me! Best HWM album since "no division"! I really think they killed the cd with the new track listing. Keep It Together is an amazing song, and should've just stayed as the opening one. Bah, theres still some amazing songs on it, like "Giver", "There Are Already Roses", and, of course, "Keep It Together." "The Ebb and Flow" is an awfuil song though... I really like the album, I just can't decide how much I like it.. It probably won't get as much play for me as Fuel or No Division do.. it is definately a great CD tho.. All Heads Down (Track 3) brings the rock.. great review scott...i actually think the re-tooled version of this album flows alot better than it did before, but i didnt really get all too attached to it until the last couple weeks...its a definate grower I knew you would do a better job reviewing this than I would Scott, thanks. This record is still rather fresh to me so I'm undecided how I'd rank it with their past work at this point. |
