Band: Hot Hot Heat
Release: 6/2010
Label: Warner/Dangerbird

1. “YVR” – B+
2. “21@12” – B
3. “Times A Thousand” – B-
4. “Implosionatic” – B
5. “Goddess on the Prairie” – A-
6. “Zero Results” – B+
7. “Future Breeds” – B
8. “JFK’s LSD” – C+
9. “Jedidah” – C
10. “Buziness Az Uzual” – B-
11. “What Is Rational?” – C+
12. “Nobody’s Accusing You (Of Having A Good Time)” – B-

Comments: Poor Hot Hot Heat. Their debut album Make Up the Breakdown [Sub Pop, 2002] was positively reviewed for the most part. It was a goodie, I’ll admit. Since they’ve effectively “sold out” by signing to Warner Music, they’ve been kind of slapped around by both mainstream and independent music critics. Guitarist and Wolf Parade member Dante Decaro jumped off the band’s ship in 2005. Hot Hot Heat opened for Snow Patrol and Editors — two UK bands that have barely garnered major audiences stateside — in 2007 and 2008, before hitting the drawing board for this album.  If the band aimed to do anything notable on here, it was making up screwy song titles. Also, the band would probably win an award for “band that most sounds like Head Automatica.” The latter is actually nice in a strange way…HA hasn’t put out a record in four years. To start off with the good…the band knows how to craft catchy songs in the dance-punk genre. If you dig the singer’s voice, you’ll most likely be satisfied by the music. For some, though, this may pose a challenge. Three releases after going major, it’s not like the band is purposely “forced” to make something commercial. This thing isn’t forced at all. It seems like the group is just as creatively spirited as it was on its debut. “Goddess…” is full of hooks and straight up fun. It seems HHH took some cues from Spoon for that song and the next. Even though “JFK” is noisy and memorable and all…it’s overload. Chill out, dudes. The second half of the album takes on a more serious tone…for the worst.

Grade: B- (82)