Review Summary: With guitar melodies acting as ear-candy, and meaningful lyrics represented in a truly memorable way, No Division is a fantastic attempt by the rockers.
Wrapping into nearly two decades since their formation, punk powerhouses Hot Water Music have stood tall with their consistency. While some and sadly many bands have practically dug their own grave, Hot Water Music has brilliantly excelled at releasing positive, uplifting and exciting music. Their earliest albums were mainly comprised of Emocore and Post-Hardcore, while their mid to later albums have been full-fledge Punk rock. They’ve defined their sound over the years, and
No Division is a clean-cut representation of this altogether. Although the tail-end of the 90’s have come and gone, Hot Water Music is a band that has never fallen off the grid, in musical terms.
To explain, though,
No Division is not completely different from their later albums, or even some of their early albums, but it’s definitely a fantastic album with a very positive mentality. The sweet-as-candy melodic guitar riffs and cheerful, easily sung-along choruses attribute to the fact this album is certainly not dismal or depressing. Loaded with bittersweet energy and an incredibly appealing vibe to almost anyone, this is an unexplainable fun album.
No Division starts off on a good note with ‘Free Radio Gainsville’ a poppy and energetic jam that is possibly the most musically bouncy on the album. Things start to look captivating when you are met with
At the End of a Gun, arguably their best song with a truly beautiful, jubilating guitar outro that ignites seemingly out of nowhere; the first moment you hear it though it’ll be rammed in your head for days, and trust me, you won’t want it to leave. The song demonstrates a clear-cut sense of melody and is the best this album has to offer, for sure. The self-titled track
No Division is a fast-paced rocker that has an outstandingly catchy riff and the most playable on the album (probably due to its short length).
Jet Set Ready is a mildly depressing yet mostly uplifting tune with a very hard-hitting, emotional chorus and deeply meaningful lyrics:
“we've been cutting strong blind to life and the consequences of taking life we're not jet set ready we're sinking with the ship that we built too quickly”
” ...and so long to the ways that we knew fit with the world that we lived in gracious world a forgiving world and show our thanks with industry open eyes can see while open mouths could speak to change or rearrange what should not be taken”
The song is a new high for the band and demonstrates not only stellar musicianship, but also heartfelt lyrics that don’t truly get deep beneath your skin as much as this one does. The lyrics are truly admirable and inspiring, and the drums are bombastic as ever.
In simulation,
No Division more than likely won’t disappoint a fan of the band. The lovable instrumentation, despite being slightly odd one some songs, is clear-as-glass and generally very good. The band shows numerous opportunities where they shine both lyrically and musically.
No Division almost never fails to slip on the cracks and go bonkers, it’s steadily on target and has an excellent delivery. This is a very memorable album and a more-so “comfort” album (when you have obstacles in your life). The band’s sense of melody is by far the biggest standpoint on this album, and should be considered to be listened to, at least once.
Song recs:
"Free Radio Gainesville"
"At the End of a Gun"
"Jet Set Ready"
"Driving Home"
