Alkaline Trio Hot Water Music

Item: Split
Author: Tom Bastian

Split

(2002)

Reviewed by Tom Bastian

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Label Jade Tree RecordsDecapolisJanuary 2002

pop punk punk

This is the 2nd Split CD EP in the Jade Tree Split EP series. Featuring the Chicago based Alkaline Trio (Vagrant Records) and Hot Water Music (Epitaph). These two bands have toured together on various occasions, most recently co-headlining this summer's Plea For Peace tour. All the songs on this EP are brand new and are exclusive to this release. It hits stores on 1/22/02, but can be pre-ordered now at www.jadetree.com.

At first this seemed like an odd release for Jade Tree records. But I guess that's kind of what the whole Jade Tree Split EP series is all about. Jade Tree working with bands they may not necessarily sign to their label. Which in my opinion is a good move for Jade Tree.

The Alkaline Trio opens up the release with two original tracks, "Queen of Pain" and "While You're Waiting" both songs featuring Matt Skiba on lead vocal. The third track is the Hot Water Music song "Rooftops". All three songs have that classic Alkaline Trio sound. Dark lyrics, a poppy punk rock sound with some of the strongest vocals in the genre. The songs don't seem recorded quite as good as their previous full-length release. I'm usually not that in tune to mess ups but I did spot a few things that seemed like they maybe should have been taken out in the production studio. Especially for a band that has a somewhat polished sound usually.

Hot Water Music opens up their side of the EP with two original songs "God Deciding" and "Russian Roulette". Then close out the EP with two Alkaline Trio covers "Radio" and "Bleeder". I'm not really that familiar with Hot Water Music's recorded material. I have seen them in concert a few times, but beside those shows this was my first experience with actually sitting down and spending some time with their recorded material. I would say that I was pretty impressed with all four songs. Especially the Alkaline Trio covers since I was familiar with those songs. On "Radio" they perform the song somewhat similar to the way the Alkaline Trio perform it besides it being a bit slowed down and some guitar lines changed up.

"Bleeder" is performed acoustic, which is a big change from the Alkaline Trio's version, but it turned out great. Actually I would almost say I enjoyed these covers the same maybe even a bit more than the Alkaline Trio versions.

Alkaline Trio - B+
Hot Water Music - B+

Average Grade - B+