Arts & Entertainment

'Breakdown' heats up on major label

Hot Hot Heat has major label debut

By Amber Lanphier
The Daily Cougar

The worst thing about retro punk bands today is they are too serious about themselves. However, the Hot Hot Heat are the farthest from that, and it is exemplified on their latest CD. On their major label debut titled Make up the Breakdown the boys from British Columbia deliver more than the goods in the most pleasurable way. 

The first track "Naked In The City" will reel you in when you hear the voice of front man Steve Bays which sounds like a jaded mixture of Ric Ocasek of the Cars and Robert Smith of the Cure. The band also consists of Dante DeCaro on guitar, Paul Hawley on drums, and Dustin Hawthorne on bass. 

"No, Not Now" is a synthesized, pop-punk masterpiece that will make you want to dance till your feet feel like they are going to fall off. The single currently being featured on MTV2 titled "Bandages" starts out like something wacky from the sixties mod era but then turns into one of the greatest break up songs ever. 

It is crafty music infused with great lyrics like "I've been poking a voodoo doll that you do not know I made for you/of you/let's see what needles do". Other tracks include the unpretentious "Talk To Me, Dance With Me" and "Get In Or Get Out" which are catchy new wave joints that will leave a warm fuzzy feeling in your ears. The band has been compared to many different artists, but none do Hot Hot Heat justice because they are unlike any other. That is what makes them so great. 

Make up the Breakdown is an album that features ten delectable tracks that will make you want to listen to it over and over again. To hear their music or find out more about them check out the bandis super cool web-site at www.hothotheat.com. 

Hot Hot Heat 

Make up the Breakdown

Sub Pop Records/Warner Bro. Records Inc.

The verdict: This band is Hot. Run donit walk to get this album.
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