2002’s Makeup The Breakdown saw Hot Hot Heat breaching the alternative rock scene with a fury, introducing fans to a new and unique way to listen to alternative music. Now, with the release of Elevator, the band’s sophomore set, we see (and hear) the band delving into a more experimental frame of mind, jamming in diverse ways, and coming up with fourteen tracks of new material that’s distinctive, full of character, and bursting at the seams with originality.

These unsullied new tracks manage to be quite conspicuous, complete with a sparkly sheen despite the sudden moss-like growth of new bands, both from the U.K. and the U.S, with the same sort of intention: to reach out to fans with jangly guitar hooks, comical lyrics, and quirky, over-the-top keyboards, complete with bells, whistles and handclaps to boot. 

What Hot Hot Heat possess that other bands lack however, is the eccentric, crooning voice of one Steve Bays. I find it hard to imagine any other vocalist getting away with this style of delivery, and get away with it he does and then some. Nowhere is this more apparent then on “Shame On You” and “Goodnight Goodnight”, which has him really cultivating his arty style. Other standout tracks include the opener “Running Out Of Time” and “Island Of The Honest Man.” Actually, there really isn’t a dud on the whole album although some of these tracks have been done before, and a little better at that. 

As a whole however, Elevator is a great listen from start to finish, adding another impressive chapter to the already super popular band. Hot Hot Heat sound comfortable: comfortable with their style, comfortable with their poise, and most importantly, comfortable with themselves, which is a breath of fresh air in this world of corporate hee-haw and mounting pressure to make music as fast as possible, no matter the cost. Kudos to Hot Hot Heat for doing it so elegantly. 
 
 

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