Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music
Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music is one split EP by the punk rock band based in Chicago, Alkaline Trio, and the punk rock band based in Gainesville, Florida, Hot Water Music, which 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 with Alkaline Trio covering Hot Water Music's “Rooftops” (from "No Division") and Hot Water Music covering 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. 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" by July 2002. 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. 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.”