September 14, 2004 | Posted by David B. at 9:50 AM

Ugly or pretty

Hot Hot Heat

I decided to check out Hot Hot Heat randomly, after hearing some good things about them and after hearing their big single "Bandages" everyday on Boston radio. The rest of the Sub Pop album it's from, Make Up the Breakdown, is just as good as that super-catchy song, and one of the best is Get In Or Get Out. They get compared a lot to The Cure, but I think the most apt comparison is to Joe Jackson, at least in terms of the vocals; a strained, sneering tone that walks the line between sarcasm and helplessness. The great thing about this song is that organ part, which stomps around and adds a bit of soul to the whole thing. The band is shamelessly poppy without being unoriginal, and I'm wondering what's going to come from them when their first album with Warner Brothers comes out. Anyway, definitely pick up Make Up the Breakdown. You'll be dancin' 'til Sunday.

Comments

Is this a great album. I hear their first sounds very different.

Posted by: stereogum at September 14, 2004 10:21 AM

These guys need to take me on tour with them.

Posted by: Miles at September 14, 2004 11:43 AM

i have their first 7" on which they sound VERY different - like noisy experimental rock - and because there's a different vocalist!
plus its crystal clear vinyl, which is always hottt

Posted by: robot blair at September 14, 2004 1:05 PM

I've always thought that "Bandages" as one of the weaker tracks on the disc ("In Cairo" being the weakest), and not really very indicative of the sound as a whole. but yeah, the first disc, sans singer Steve Bays, is not that great, but the Knock Knock Knock EP, which just preceded Make Up The Breakdown is damn good too.

Posted by: ryan at September 14, 2004 2:18 PM

The number five track Oh, Goddammit was in rotation on Virgin Radio UK (one of the few internet radio stations that make it through my job's firewall) a few months back, prompting my purchase of this cd, and subsequet inclusion of various tracks on some mixed cds. Much like jellybeans, I have found that taken individually the songs hold up better. En masse, they blend into some too sweet kinda gummy mess.

Posted by: hammeredjack at September 14, 2004 6:11 PM

man, was i disappointed when "bandages" was getting airplay on all the "pop" stations last summer... i swear i musta listened to this album a billion times and put "oh, goddammit" on at least 6 different mix cds that i made that summer. definitely a classic, and i don't care how much airplay they get. they make me smile.

Posted by: allie at September 14, 2004 10:30 PM

I think it's a fun dancy record and a big jump from there ep. Goo stuff.

Posted by: Denni at September 14, 2004 11:39 PM

Oh, I loved that they got so much airplay. Why not? They're a great band.

Posted by: David at September 15, 2004 9:10 AM
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