Labels: Doghouse
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Interesting album this from the Floridian Hot Water Music. They’ve obviously got a hardcore influence, after all, a band with such driving guitars, a dab of heaviness, and shouty vocals is hardly going to be taking any lead from the Carpenters now are they? But HWM break their heavier side down by slipping in some occasionally jangly emo guitars, as well as bursts of melody every now and again. Phew. Opening track “Translocation” introduces all of the above into one song, and it makes for a good starter to the album. A neat blend of the calmer side of the band, and their more rocking bigger brother joins the fray too.
If you don’t mind the shouty vocals, then they are really effective. The lead singer takes on most of the barking duties, but HWM employ a backing singer who is equally adept at giving it a bit of rasp. So when you get the twin vocal attack, or when they take lines in turn, it comes over really well. There’s some pretty cool personal type lyrics too.
The first 4 or 5 times I listened to this, I couldn’t break down the barriers at all. Most of it seemed pretty much the same, and it just kind of washed over me. But repeated listening has ensured that it’s sunk in, and it became a pretty enjoyable listen. Good stuff if you like your shouty rock to sound a bit different from other peoples shouty rock.