Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music Explained

Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music
Type:EP
Artist:Alkaline Trio And Hot Water Music
Cover:Alkaline Trio-Hot Water Music cover.jpg
Released:January 22, 2002
Genre:Punk rock
Length:23:46
Label:Jade Tree
Chronology:Alkaline Trio
Prev Title:From Here to Infirmary
Prev Year:2001
Next Title:Good Mourning
Next Year:2003

Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music is a split EP by Alkaline Trio and Hot Water Music, punk rock bands based in Chicago and Gainesville, Florida respectively. The EP was released on January 22, 2002, through Jade Tree.

In addition to new material, the EP features each band performing cover versions of songs from the other band's catalogue: Alkaline Trio covered Hot Water Music's “Rooftops” (from No Division) and Hot Water Music covered Alkaline Trio's “Radio” (from Maybe I'll Catch Fire) and “Bleeder” (from I Lied My Face Off).

It was the first release by Alkaline Trio with drummer Derek Grant who replaced previous drummer Mike Felumlee in July 2001.[1] Both bands later re-released their songs from the EP on compilation albums, with the tracks by Alkaline Trio appearing on Remains in 2007 and the tracks by Hot Water Music appearing on Till the Wheels Fall Off in January 2008.

The EP peaked at #36 on the Billboard Top Independent Charts in July 2002.[2]

Reception

Critical reception to the EP was positive, with Kevin Hoskins of Allmusic praising “Queen of Pain” and God Deciding as representative of each band's best material to date, specifically praising George Rebelo’s drumming.[3]

Jason Thompson of PopMatters, praised the tracks by Alkaline Trio over Hot Water Music’s, preferring Matt Skiba’s singing voice to Chuck Ragan’s, and remarking of the latter that; “All too often the vocals are of that saliva drenched, back of the throat variety, which takes out a lot of the punch of this group, whose musical abilities are as tight as the Alkaline Trio’s.”[4]

Personnel

Alkaline Trio

Hot Water Music

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alkaline Trio Won't Let Spinal Tap Curse Slow Them. idobi.com. 24 July 2001. 30 June 2021.
  2. Web site: 'Caution': Hot Water Music Heats Up Billboard. billboard.com. 25 July 2002. 1 August 2021.
  3. Web site: Hoskins. Kevin S.. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r563504|pure_url=yes}} Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music Review]. Allmusic. 3 December 2009. 3 December 2009.
  4. Web site: Thompson. Jason. Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music Review. 17 April 2002. PopMatters. 3 December 2009.