Hailing from Gainesville, Florida, (as opposed to the Los Angeles-based band of the same name) "Hot Water Music" has just released "No Division." Expressing some regional pride, they led off the disc with "Southeast First," a high-energy cut that sounds like it was recorded live. Beginning with a chant by the Gainesville Radical Cheerleading Squad, "Southeast First" is a punkish assault, proudly lo-fi with rough-sounding guitars and bass, and strangled vocals courtesy of Chris Wollard, that sound like the guy got lost on his way to tryouts for a death metal band.

The second track cleared a few things up. When the instruments cut in, led by Jason Black's bassline, they were still a bit rough, but in a deliberate studio sense. No such luck with the lead vocals. Wollard's voice stayed indecipherably growly, and remains that way for the length of the disc. That's a shame, too, because "Hot Water Music's" brand of proudly punkish, energetic emo-indie rock has potential.

Lyrically, they're all about expressing yourself, and breaking out of the confines imposed upon you by the power structures that exist today. The words to "Free Radio Gainsville" read like a call to rebellion, and act as a challenge to the FCC to legalize community radio. "Send ourselves in constant airwaves/ Ringing out from voice to ear to free ourselves." A similar sentiment against the powers-that-be is expressed in one of the better songs on the disc, "Jet Set Ready." Wollard is pretty much spitting venom when he growls, "Minds burned while young by pioneers gone wrong/ Who won't cease to live without oppressing life."

Musically, the assault is led by the twin guitars of Wollard and backing vocalist Chuck Ragan. The band actually employs a dual vocalist system. I keep referring to Wollard as the 'lead' because his singing is so much more...obvious than Ragan's. The highlights, however, are provided by Jason Black, who lays out a series of active and interesting basslines throughout "No Division." On a few songs, "Hot Water Music" goes with the quiet verse/guitar driven choruses popularized in the early '90s, and Black and drummer George Rebelo carry the songs from their rhythm section.

If I had to compare their material to mainstream bands, I might say some songs sound like Green Day, and others carry the imprint of say, Bush. Their best stuff comes out when "Hot Water Music" gives free rein to their pop/Goo Goo Dolls sensibilities, as they do on "At The End of a Gun," the best song on "No Division." I don't really like any of those three bands, but "Hot Water Music" have taken the influences and melded them into something musically and lyrically enjoyable. Now, if only Wollard would do something about that sore throat.