(Ohev)
Hot Hot Heat's sound is difficult to classify. They've been called retro punk, dark wave, mod, prog, dance rock and a host of other qualifiers. In truth, their sound is really a mix of all these and more, with vocals sounding (to great effect) very much like a cross between Robert Smith of the Cure and a male Gwen Stefani impersonator. Hailing from British Columbia, the band landed a deal on SubPop Records and released the extraordinary Knock Knock Knock EP last year, as well as their first full-length recording with their current lineup, Make Up The Breakdown.
First off, the album is pure ecstatic fun, start to finish, never taking itself too seriously nor drifting into absurdity. The songs may not be quite as good as those on Knock Knock Knock, but given time they grow on you enough to forgive them that. The album as a whole is remarkably solid; as a result, it's hard to name one stand-out track (though the surf-rock single \Bandages"" will probably be the most well-received). Not content to rest solely on the merits of musicianship, the band makes sure to keep the lyrics interesting.
Lead singer/keyboardist Steve Bays sings of submitting to a girlfriend who seems determined to change him in the catchy ""Aveda,"" (""I got my head shaved for her because she told me it would do all the right things for my identity,"") but ultimately rebels against such a notion in ""Talk To Me, Dance With Me,"" declaring ""You are my only girl/ But you're not my owner, girl."" Bays also sounds so surprisingly earnest and determined when he sings ""Nobody likes a child who complains/ And I won't be that child anymore"" in ""No, Not Now;"" it's almost inspiring.
The album's only major fault is Jack Endino's (Nirvana, Skin Yard) production work. As if trying to reshape Hot Hot Heat into the next Strokes (as they have already been compared to, though only marginally accurately), he's unfortunately restrained the heavy clashing guitars and wondrously wacky keyboards and buried them beneath the vocals, causing the tracks to not sound as raucous and punchy as they do when heard live. Despite this, however, Make Up The Breakdown will still be instantly likeable for fans of cross-genre rock.
(Favored)
Solo guitarists seemed to have faded into the background of the mainstream music. Most mainstream music has changed from the ""band"" to the solo artist who can dance, sing with a mediocre voice and has sex appeal. Unfortunately, the raw elements of those who can actually play instruments such as the guitar, drums and bass have disappeared from mainstream music. These essential elements are missed by those who appreciate everything musicians have to offer, but Greg Koch has reintroduced the traditional musical elements under the record label of legendary guitarist, Steve Vai.
Greg Koch's Radio Free Gristle attempts to poke fun at the music scene, especially the morning radio show. Between each musical track, Koch breaks into a tangent talking about random stories from his past or random thoughts that spontaneously pass through his mind in the same way radio-show hosts ad-lib their morning show. Koch explains, ""Radio Free Gristle is a musically, 'politically-incorrect' recording in that it intensely attacks many genres with equal irreverence for their 'supposed' constrictions.""
During the musical numbers, Koch displays immense musicality in his playing and has revived the solo guitar with the accompaniment of a strong bass as well as interesting drum rhythms. The jam-type setting is interesting to hear in the unique radio-show format. ""Sassy Strumpet,"" especially demonstrates the amazing guitar talent of Koch and his ability to incorporate and complement the other instruments which comprise a decent melody. Greg Koch exhibits extensive technical knowledge of his guitar as he combines the music genres of blues, country and rock. After twenty-seven tracks, however, the songs start blurring together and sound extremely similar.
""Torn Asunder"" is an interesting track because Koch breaks out of his usual style and experiments with different, interesting and unique sounds. This track however, is the only track that sounds different and adds to the flavor of the album.
Toward the end of the album the originality is lost because each song sounds the same and the listeners may start to feel as though they are wasting their time. Greg Koch's idea is original and shows his vast musical talent, but he lays an enormous amount of tracks which make his songs sound similar. He needs to vary his style, become more creative, and incorporate more of his vocals to keep the listener interested and pleased with his music. The album pokes fun at the morning radio-show, but the next time the ""Koch"" crows in the morning it would be crazy not to hit snooze and go back to sleep.
