AMG Review of Hell and High Water

Mike DaRonco
All Music Guide

Someone in Rainer Maria must have just gotten out of a relationship around the time that they recorded Hell and High Water. Both sides of this single lyrically deal with post-breakup trauma, rebound relationships, and bickering couples. As sung on the acoustical B-side of "Paper Sack," "So there's your coat and here's your hat/I couldn't fight my way out of a paper sack/No need to leave a note once you've packed/If you can stay gone, I don't want you back." Ouch. The feeling's mutual on "Hell and High Water": "I've seen the girl who'll pick up where I leave off/I've seen her sorting through my memories/She's a better version of me." Musically, "Hell and High Water" is an emotional pop of dual male-female vocals that's catchy enough to make the lyrics hit even harder. The flip of "Paper Sack" isn't as attention getting, but the lyrics could easily relate to anyone who's ever gotten into a fight with their significant other.