When I first heard Hot Hot Heat in ‘02, I thought they were one of the most novel bands I had heard to date. Glorious bubblegum pop songs performed with snarling vocals, gritty guitars, groovey bass, 80s beats and synth came together in something that sounded NEW! Years later, with every band doing similar things, Hot Hot Heat is doing more of the same. And that’s a GOOD thing, except, on Elevator, they got REALLY polished.

To me, polished is not always a good thing. By polished, I mean they took their gritty, snarling bubble gum pop songs and, through the wonders of high production value, edited out the grit and snarl.

Hot Hot Heat writes wonderful songs, but it doesn’t sound fresh to me now like it did seven (!) years ago. Can’t say it’s worth it. Check out Make up the Breakdown. Now I’m sounding like that guy who says “I just liked their old stuff better, man!” Oh well. I do. Sue me.