Gruff punk legends Hot Water Music have returned after eight years, and a lot has happened in that time. Chuck Ragan wandered off to remake himself as a gravel-voiced folk troubadour, and founded the increasingly popular Revival Tour, which showcases the acoustic talents of a rotating cast of punk rock heroes. The remaining three quarters of the band formed The Draft, a vastly underrated punk project, after which Chris Wollard released a strong solo album, bassist Jason Black worked with Senses Fail, and drummer George Rebelo spent some time behind the kit for Against Me! after Warren Oakes left the band. With everything that they've done in the interim, it's surprising that the new Hot Water Music LP, Exister, sounds like no time at all has passed between The New What's Next LP and today.
Which is not to say that the boys haven't learned anything, because it's obvious that they have. Chuck Ragan's folk interests and Chris Wollard's solo efforts have clearly informed their sense of melody, which is stronger than ever. It's just that the elements that made Hot Water Music distinguishable, the intertwining guitar lines over rock-solid rhythms with the twin-voice attack of Ragan and Wollard, are still very much intact. It's as if they slid back into their sound like a broken-in leather jacket.
Nearly every song is a highlight, and that's not hyperbole. From the charging intro of opening track "Mainline," to the classic sounds of the title track, to the huge bass groove and oscillating guitars of "No End Left In Sight," there is very, very little to complain about on this record. Perhaps it contains a bit less aggression than the records of the past, but considering the sound of The New What's Next, and the focus that the songwriters have put on melody in their solo projects, it's hard to see why that would be a surprise, and considering the quality of this record, it's hard to see why it would be a negative. It's a rare feat to pull off a reunion record that's not only good, but doesn't involve any comeback grandstanding or smarmy winks to the audience about the circumstances of their return. Chalk it up to Hot Water Music's unflagging sincerity that they decided to simply make an excellent rock record like Exister and let it speak for itself.
-Review by TZARATHUSTRA
