Hot Hot Heat – Make Up The Breakdown
(Sub Pop)

Hot Hot Heat are, if you’ll excuse the inevitable pun, a hot commodity in the music world right now. They released a 5 song EP on Sub Pop Records earlier this year, which created quite a stir, then within a matter of months they proceeded to record a new full length album for Sub Pop as well. Now apparently they’ve already signed a deal with Warner to release their next record. One thing’s for sure, these guys haven’t let the B.C. weed waste away their ambition. However, if Make Up The Breakdown is any indication of where the band is headed, Warner just might be jumping on the bandwagon a little too late.

This record isn’t bad, by any means. It is, however, a definite step down from the Knock Knock Knock EP. For some reason, the magic seems to be wearing off. Perhaps the EP sounded so good because there were only 5 songs on it and no room for filler… but then again, I don’t think there is a single song on Make Up The Breakdown that can stand up to any of the 5 songs from that EP.

It’s unquestionably the same band that recorded Knock Knock Knock (as opposed to the vastly different incarnation of the band responsible for their earliest recordings), but the music sounds watered down, and not quite as exciting. There is still a danceable mod rock feel with 80’s retro/new wave undertones, but suddenly there is an element of 70’s rock in there too. Okay, that doesn’t describe the difference entirely, but for example, just listen to the sound of the keyboards on this album. It isn’t so much quirky synthesized bleeps any more, it is a full blown organ sound, not unlike something you’d hear on a Boston record, or occasionally a piano. The keyboard solo on “Get In Or Get Out” stands out, as it sounds dated and a little cheesy too.

The danceability of their music is still intact, as is the general catchiness, but the energy level and the spastic vocals have been taken down a few notches. Highlights on the album include “No, Not Now”, “Oh, Goddamnit” and “Talk To Me, Dance With Me”, all of which combine driving rhythms with addictive melodies. For the most part, however, the songs make Hot Hot Heat seem a lot less creative and original than they have proven to be in the past. Make Up The Breakdown essentially passes them off as nothing more than trendy lo-fi revivalists. I’m sure that probably helps from a marketing standpoint, but it’s a little disheartening to think that Hot Hot Heat may already have passed the high point of their career. I suppose only time will tell on that front, but this record just isn’t as good as it probably could have been. — Sean