What makes Thicker than Water by H2O notable?

Thicker than Water received critical acclaim within the punk community and contributed to H2O's growing reputation, especially after landing on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. The album is often cited for its influence on subsequent bands within the melodic hardcore genre, showcasing a blend of aggression and melody that resonated with fans. Released in January 1997, Thicker than Water marked H2O's second studio album, following their self-titled debut. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying its presence in the hardcore punk scene, having gained traction through their energetic performances and relatable themes.

How many songs are on Thicker than Water?

Thicker than Water has 16 tracks, running approximately 29 minutes.

Thicker than Water

H2O · 1997

29 min · 16 tracks · hardcore punk

Fast-paced hardcore punk anthems collide with introspective lyrics, embodying youthful rebellion and camaraderie.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Everready — This track exemplifies the band's signature sound with its catchy hooks and energetic tempo while addressing themes of resilience and determination.
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Scarred — Scarred stands out for its emotional depth, capturing feelings of vulnerability amidst the raw energy typical of hardcore punk.
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Thicker Than Water — The title track encapsulates the album's core message of loyalty and friendship, resonating deeply with listeners through both its lyrical content and driving beat.
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This Time — This track showcases a more melodic approach while still maintaining punk aggression, reflecting H2O's evolution as songwriters.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album balances energetic anthems with introspective lyrics, showcasing solid songwriting within the hardcore punk genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album maintains a high-energy pace with fast tempos and aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half introduces more melodic elements.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the sense of camaraderie among listeners.
The lyrics often juxtapose themes of youthful rebellion with introspective reflections, creating a dynamic emotional range.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Universal Language 0:59
2 Everready 2:11
3 Talk Too Much 1:30
4 I See It in Us 2:09
5 Sacred Heart 2:15
6 Innocent Kids 0:45
7 Scarred 1:59
8 Go 2:24
9 This Time 2:00
10 Friend 1:38
11 A+ 2:22
12 Phone Song 2:06
13 Responsible 1:35
14 Wake Up 1:06
15 Thicker Than Water 2:06
16 No Fucking Tears 2:43

What to play next

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F.T.T.W.

1999

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H2O

1996

Full H2O discography Artists like H2O

hardcore punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata