Today is one of my happier days in recent memory. I've been waiting for what seems to be an eternity to get my hands Exister, the new record from Gainesville, Florida indie/punk legends Hot Water Music. You see... I'm what one might call a "super fan". As mentioned in my review of their previous release The Fire, The Steel, The Tread/Up To Nothing (seen here) I have a storied and deeply personal history with the songs created by this group of musicians. I've been through some of the best and worst times of my life with Hot Water Music as the soundtrack... and I wasn't only ecstatic to hear that a new LP was on the way... I was relieved. That is because although there have been many phenomenal records released in the nearly 8 years since their last full length The New What Next... none of them have been from Hot Water Music. This band is in an elite class of those who have captured lightning in a bottle time and time again with their records... and Exister is no exception.
From the opening chords, distinctive rhythm and soulful yet gravelly crooning of Chuck Ragan in the albums jump-off track "Mainline" you know that this is finally it... this is a new Hot Water Music record. The familiarity and telltale trademarks of their sound are ever-present throughout the entire record. 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.
If you've followed the trail that this group has carved through the landscape of punk rock, you will know that there has been a very steady evolution that has occurred between each of their releases. Some fans of the band reached a point that they fell off due to this evolution drawing the band too far from the sound that they had original fallen in love with (and at a time, I could be counted among this group). I honestly don't think that the foundation of this band has changed much, if at all. However, if you are one of those who only enjoys their "pre-Epitaph" material, you may not latch on to this record as much as I have as it absolutely has more in common with the later releases in their catalog than the earlier material. If anything, the sonic maturation has made them into a much better songwriters as a whole. With all of that being said, all Hot Water Music songs sound like Hot Water Music songs... and no one else can make that claim. They are unique and have always been in a league of their own. With this release in the hands of punk rock legend Bill Stevenson (Descendents/ALL), the production here is phenomenal and I have to be honest... 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.
With Exister, Hot Water Music has presented the world with undeniable proof that there is still true passion and integrity in punk rock. Once again they have pinned their hearts firmly to their sleeves and given us the truly inspired gift of their music and I am thankful.
Staff Rating
5.00/5
User Rating
5/5
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Awesome.