Hello Reader,
Welcome back. How’s your week been?
While I have familiarity with Hot Water Music‘s back catalog, I am even more familiar with Chuck Ragan‘s four outstanding solo albums Feast or Famine (2007), Gold Country (2009), Covering Ground (2011), and Till Midnight (2014), the latter of which feature a who’s who of guest vocalists such as Brian Fallon, Frank Turner, Ben Nichols, Dave Hause, Jon Snodgrass, Chad Price and Jenny O. From 2008 to 2012, Ragan embarked across the US several times, and even ventured as far as Australia (2010’s tour), Europe and Canada (both in 2012) with the even more star-studded Revival Tours.
In 2012, Ragan released The Road Most Traveled, a book about life on the road, with anecdotes and observations. One reflection that’s stuck with many is, “The way I see it, we’re faced with tons of inspiration every day. Every step of this life has a way of teaching you something, showing you something, opening your ears and your heart to something. I have all these friends out there, and this community that supports me, who believe in what I’m doing and who believe in the power of music and the power of community. It’s a blessing and a privilege to stand on stage and play music for people, I meet so many folks out there, and they’re so hospitable and so kind and say such nice things to me about the songs. The support and the energy that I get from them is what makes it possible for me to keep doing this. And when I’m there and in that moment, it’s important to me to give it back to them as strongly as they’re giving it to me.”
Today we’re going to delve into the powerhouse punk rock and post-hardcore group Hot Water Music. The band formed in Gainesville, Florida, a city that’s served as an origin for legendary groups such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Against Me! among others. Hot Water Music’s band members, Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Robello played in other bands before forming this band in 1994, naming the group after a collection of short stories of the same name, published in 1983 by the legendary poet and novelist Charles Bukowski. Hot Water Music has remained an active force in the music scene for nearly 30 years, experiencing a brief interruption for a few months in 1998 and a longer hiatus for less than two years in 2006 until seeing a reunion in 2008. Their honest, warm, and visceral music with a jazz-trained rhythm section, gritty guitars and balance of Ragan’s deeper raspy and Wollard’s vocals that reach tenor range, the band’s punk attitude and energy has separated them from others in the scene and led to a long list of devoted fans. In 2017, the band welcomed a fifth member Chris Cresswell to serve as a vocalist and guitarist.
The band has released nine studio albums to positive critical reception; Fuel for the Hate Game (1997), Forever and Counting (1997), No Division (1999), A Flight and a Crash (2001), Caution (2002), The New What Next (2004), Exister (2012), Light It Up (2017), Feel the Void (2022) in addition to two Live albums, Push For Coin EP (1995), Shake Up The Shadows EP (2019), and more than two dozen either split (with other bands) EPs, or 7″ records (with usually two but sometimes one singular song).
And now for your listening pleasures, on Friday May 10th via the great indie label, Equal Vision Records comes Hot Water Music’s tenth studio album, titled, Vows. The band has enlisted help from Dallas Green, Daniel Fang, Brendan Yates, Thrice, The Interrupters, and a producer they’ve worked with several times before, Brian McTernan.
Speaking about the album making process the band said, “Everyone spent a lot of time reflecting on the journey that got us here and thinking about what we want the trajectory to be from here on out while making this record. We hope this album feels like a celebration of our history and future to everyone that hears it. That is definitely what it is and how it feels to us.”
Giving credit where it’s due. Vows album credits:
- Jason Black on bass guitar
- Chuck Ragan on guitars, and vocals
- George Rebelo on drums
- Chris Wollard on guitars, and vocals
- Chris Cresswell on guitar, and vocals
- Guest vocals on “After the Impossible’” from Dallas Green
- Guest percussion on “Remnants” from Daniel Fang of Turnstile
- Guest vocals on “Remnants” from Brendan Yates of Turnstile
- Guest keys on “Fences” from Teppei Teranishi
- Guest vocals on “Fences” by Thrice: Teppei Teranishi, Riley Breckenridge, Eddie Breckenridge and Dustin Kensrue
- Spoken word on “Wildfire” from Popeye Vogelsang of Calling Hours
- Guest keys on “Much Love” from Kevin Bivona
- Guest vocals on “Much Love” by The Interrupters: Aimee Interrupter, Jesse Bivona, and Justin Bivona
- Additional instrumentation by Brian McTernan
- All songs written by Hot Water Music
- Produced by Brian McTernan
- Engineered by Ryan Williams and Brian McTernan
- Mixed by Brian McTernan
- Mastered by Nicholas Townsend at Infrasonic Sound
- Recorded at Black Bear Studios and Salad Days Studios
And now for some hype for your ears!
The opening song “Menace” with a split screen, basement punk jam video:
(All credits and rights to Hot Water Music and Equal Vision Records)
The blast from the 80s past intro, including the band and child actors playing younger versions of the band in “After The Impossible feat City And Colour”:
(All credits and rights to Hot Water Music and Equal Vision Records)
A song about friendship and a video with the band jamming out, “Remnants”:
(All credits and rights to Hot Water Music and Equal Vision Records)
A chorus that sticks with you, “Fences feat. Thrice”:
(All credits and rights to Hot Water Music and Equal Vision Records)
Overall, Vows is an album with several good individual songs, and there is a lot of variety in the sound and vibe from song to song. Some listeners may not like that flow, but I don’t think that is a determent that would make one stop listening. This is not a concept album after all, which would require a perfectly smooth flow. The album could flow better sure, but so could nearly every other. That’s a producer and artist choice I’ll continue to respect and not examine further in this or other new album reviews. As it is not the place for it. The band is tight, and the melodies work well with the vocals. The skilled musicians Black, Rebelo, Ragan, and Wollard sound in perfect form throughout this album. I enjoyed hearing Cresswell’s lyrics and vocals on a few songs. He adds a lot of good to the band. Ragan and Wollard remain in good vocal form separately and when they harmonize. There are a lot of themes of gratitude, friendship, reflection, dealing with and processing emotions such as, but not limited to: loss, anger, anxiety and grief.
On the opening song, “Menace,” Ragan’s lead vocals establish the tone and Wollard’s more warm vocals serve as a well-balanced harmony. The melody is anchored by some fantastic rock guitars, a few bass grooves and a simplified but catchy drum kit. The lyrics tell of someone who is downtrodden, contemplating their options to either sink deeper or try to right their ship. The song ends with optimism.
“Searching For Light” charges out of the gate with guitar licks and up-tempo drum beat before Ragan’s vocals drop creating a melody that lingers. Around 30 seconds in, you’ll hear a hi hat drum pattern that reminds you of Neil Peart‘s in the Rush song “Tom Sawyer.” Fittingly with this homage, the lyrics examine time with respect to the possibilities of the near and long-term future and Ragan’s passionate vocal delivery stands out.
The next song, “Burn Forever” features both Wollard and Cresswell on vocals. Their deliveries are less contrasting than the difference between Ragan and Wollard and Cresswell and Wollard trading lines creates their own lovely harmony as well. Something I hope we get to hear more of in the future. The jangly guitar, hard charging melody fits well with both of their vocals. The lyrics are of someone in mourning, and processing all of those emotions especially grief at their own pace.
The co-lead vocals from Dallas Green of City And Colour and Ragan are a nice pairing in “After The Impossible (feat. City And Colour)” and the impassioned delivery at several points within the song make it sound anthemic. The drums and guitars are prominent part of the melody once again. There are a few tempo changes that turn the song on its head after building up to the choruses. This shift and allowance of quieter melody moments not only allows for the vocals to standout, but it works for the listener. The lyrics tell of friendship and missing someone.
“Remnants (feat. Brendan Yates and Daniel Fang)” is a song about friendship. The lyrics tell of how friendship remains throughout all of life’s obstacles and difficulties. Daniel Fang and Brendan Yates of the post-hardcore band Turnstile lend their talents on this one. The melody recalls 90s alternative grooves thanks to Black’s bass and other guitar chord progressions. Wollard’s and Ragan’s vocals again pair perfectly in this song.
The next song, “Chewing On Broken Glass” slows things down to a ballad pace. The melody is much slower than the previous songs, akin to 90s Lemonheads songs, but still has a few quick drum and guitar progressions. The lyrics tell of someone in a destitute state, feeling like things are spiraling out of their control. And as a result, they harbor bitter, harsh resentment.
“Fences (feat. Thrice)” features the skills of the band that has been described as one of many genres over their history, Thrice. The choruses really stand out to me, and the rollicking guitars and rolling drums that comprise the melody. The lyrics examine what we show to others and ourselves and then serve as call to action. Scars, fences, walls, name your own analogy.
“Side Of The Road” sees someone trying to come to grips with an immense loss in their life. Trying to make sense of it all, process it, and learning from it. The melody is easygoing and rock forward allowing for some great guitar and drum work. Cresswell’s vocals shine on this one.
“Wildfire (feat. Calling Hours)” features excellent spoken word by Popeye Vogelsang of Calling Hours creating a dystopian mood while he’s speaking within the song. The lyrics are dissatisfied and defiant and Ragan’s delivery matches that. The melody? It starts with dueling hard rock guitars before the high energy drumbeat kicks in and goes toe to toe with the vocals.
“Bury Us All” kicks off with a three-guitar intro and the melody evolves to create a summer-like song while still retaining the bands signature sound(s). The repeated chorus creates some levity to your ears amidst Ragan’s raspy vocals and Wollard’s harmonies. The lyrics are very emotive, showing signs of struggle, and despair but also resilience and hope. Kudos to the band for this composition and execution.
The melody of “Touch The Sun” is upstart and doesn’t let down, carrying you throughout this song into the next song. The melody creates a frantic and anxious mood. The lyrics match and accept that fate.
“Much Love (feat. The Interrupters)” is the band’s love letter of gratitude to its fans. The lyrics are vulnerable and real supporting that concept and the result is a sweet send off. To my ears, the melody is more upbeat than any other song on the album. The harmonies add a nice touch, creating a beautiful song of appreciation.
Vows gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It slides from 3.5 into low 4 Scum Drop range due to strength of its best songs, its best compositions and collaborations. The album is not the best in their discography but also not the worst. Kudos to the band as a whole and the production staff as this album sounds great to the ears. I would recommend adding to your collection on vinyl format because I think they sound best there.
Vows Track listing [song length]
- Menace [3:25]
- Searching For Light [2:56]
- Burn Forever [3:00]
- After The Impossible (feat. City and Colour) [4:10]
- Remnants (feat. Brendan Yates and Daniel Fang) [3:24]
- Chewing On Broken Glass [2:57]
- Fences (feat. Thrice) [3:58]
- Side Of The Road [3:18]
- Wildfire (feat. Calling Hours) [3:38]
- Bury Us All [3:55]
- Touch The Sun [2:44]
- Much Love (feat. The Interrupters) [3:12]
Total runtime: 40:37
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The process from with this album start to finish will take you less than an hour and a half to listen to twice. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
Hot Water Music’s site with all their socials, merch, tour info and their exclusive wayfarers club is linked right here.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
