Hot Water Music
Feel the Void
EQUAL VISION
ABOVE THE CURRENT
Do anything for almost 30 years and it could understandably lead to fatigue. That’s probably even more so the case when that “anything” is playing in a touring punk band—the stresses and strains of being on the road will result in their fair share of bruises and scars, while the ineluctable process of aging makes maintaining the necessary energy harder year on year. Try telling that to Hot Water Music, though. Not only does the band—who formed in Gainesville, Florida in the early ’90s—sound as inspired and spirited as ever on this tenth studio album, but it’s among the best records of their career to date.
Co-vocalists/guitarists Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard, bassist Jason Black, and drummer George Rebelo come off as a truly honed, well-oiled unit, helped by the presence of Flatliners frontman Chris Cresswell, who adds an extra dynamic to the equation. It’s not one that was missing previously, but certainly one whose absence would be noted from here on out.
From the insurgent opener “Another Breath” and its ragged yet infectious groove through to the insistent jitter of closer “Lock Up” and its stunning surging chorus, Feel the Void is a positive and triumphant dance in the face of trauma. That’s something Hot Water Music has always excelled at, but that defiance is in full force here, buoyed by the strength of unity and community that binds these songs—and this band—together. “Killing Time,” for instance, tears away at breakneck speed through a torrent of negativity, while the ominous tones of “Newtown Scraper,” the urgency of “Scratch On,” the almost soothing “Ride High,” and the simmering power of the title track all demonstrate the vital lifeforce of this record. And Cresswell even takes center stage on the hypnotic, adrenaline-laced “Turn the Dial.” His voice may be less gritty than those of Ragan and Wollard, but it fits seamlessly.
And then there’s “Habitual.” A song that takes a stand about the devastating effects of cancer, it’s a powerful reminder that—whether the disease wins or is defeated—life has to be lived to the fullest at all times. That attitude is at the heart of this record and found within all its songs. It makes Feel the Void the perfect soundtrack to counteract these depressing times. It’s a fire burning in a cold and desolate world, a friend to keep you inspired and alive on dark, desperate, and lonely nights, a valuable reminder to never take any of this for granted.
