2002s 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 bands 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 thats 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 isnt
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.
CD Info
Hot Hot
Heat Elevator
Label: Sire
Records
Rating:
Tracks: 1. Introduction
2. Running Out Of Time
3. Goodnight Goodnight
4. Ladies And Gentlemen
5. You Owe Me An IOU
6. No Jokes-Fact
7. Jingle Jangle
8. Pickin' It Up
9. Island Of The Honest Man
10. Middle Of Nowhere
11. Dirty Mouth
12. Soldier In A Box
13. Untitled
14. Shame On You
15. Elevator
Posted by tater salad:
it's a great cd, no doubt, but some of the songs feel like they're not quite all they could have been. extremely catchy, and many will stay in your head for days...
Posted by The OFFICIAL Hot Hot Heat nerd:
This CD is absoultely amazing. This is my favorite band and they really do have alot going for them. Although I am sure pissed that they are taking some tour dates as an OEPNING band for the US Weezer/Foo Fighters tour, they are worth a lot more than that. I saw them live in July for an MTV taping and they are ever better performers. And the review is right, they are very comfortable with themselves--unlike a lot of bands today. Their style is diversly compacted to create something uniquely wonderful that fans beg for. But that have released a few different things. Yes, I consider a real album to be full. But I think something that gives them big reviews with people is that they are danceable and fun--not just scream and put up the "punk rock" sign. They are unique in a new world where most rock bands sound the same--I find myself being confused while watching the television//so much is the same now a days. That is why HHH is a breath of fresh air. But with Jeremy, no, they ain't super popular. When I ask people, "Do you like HHH?" they either say who? or you mean the guys who did Bandages. Nobody knows anything else. But that is something else that makes them a valuable treasure. They ain't overplayed like Green Day or something. This band is great live and makes brilliant CDs. But that's just me ;)
Posted by goody:
i lov hot hot heat i saw thm live last sun they were great
Posted by Jeremy:
I think it'd be appropriate to call it their sophomore album... there was garage era stuff with a different singer released before (which was crap) and the Knock EP was cool but only 5 tracks. I like this CD a lot. In fact, I like all but two tracks. I agree with the review, but are they super popular? I discovered 'em on a whim, but maybe I'm out of the loop.
Posted by putty:
maxpower324, actually, the first record was only a collection of ep's and b-sides, so the reviewer is right, it's only technically their second record. pretty good one too.
Posted by 22:
Star Wars TV- Turks Vs Arnold- Seacrest Bombs- LSD TV- Simpsons- 'Land Of The Lost' Ideas- 2nd Benifer?- Hanoi Jane Attacked- Sitcomes or S**tcoms- more -more
Reel Views: Ocean's Twelve - The Grudge (aka The Ring) - The Forgotten - The Day After Tomorrow
Posted by eric:
yeah, i know, unfortunately i forgot about their debut album, which came out in 2001. but i'm trying to forget that year. thanks for reminding me!
Posted by MaxPower324:
Sophomore? This is their third album.
