In May of 2002, HHH released 'Make up the Breakdown' on SubPop records. The complex, rhythmic art-punk album was recorded in Vancouver's Mushroom Studios by Jack Endino. On my first listen I was immediately drawn into the bands craftful, upbeat, danceable punk-pop songs. Steve Bays vocals never pausing for air, howl, wail and scream with intoxicating urgency.This amazing new band draws elements of sounds of eighties bands XTC, The Clash, Elvis Costello, The Cure, The Specials, and Oingo Boingo. Hot Hot Heat is a talented four piece from Victoria, BC. The band consits of, Vocalist, keyboardist, Steve Bays, guitarist Dante DeCaro, bassist Dustin Hawthorne and drummer Paul Hawley.
'Make up the Breakdown' starts off with 'Naked in The City,' bass heavy, with tight sexy guitar riffs as Steve howls like early Robert Smith 'Lost and Naked in the City Again, Intoxicated by a Quarter to Ten.' with amazing tempo changes held together by drummer Paul Hawley.
The album continues to move and shake with familiar sounds from the past with tracks like 'No, Not Now' and the Elvis Costellian 'Get in or Get Out,' the passionate 'Bandage,” and the jangly 'Oh Godamnit.'
The organ filled 'Aveda' is a complex song with a skanking ska feel. In the kinky chorus Steve Bays sings 'Hold Me Down Aveda, Hold Me Down, It feels So Right!'
My favorite track on the album is 'Talk to Me Dance with Me' starts with a ringing cowbell in to cosmic shuffle groove with compressed tight guitar hooks,(ex., The Strokes) bouncing bass lines and intricate drumming. Steve howls and screams 'Your are my Only Girl, but your not my Owner.'
Another noteworthy track is the schizophrenic, 'Save S.O.S.,' which bounces and springs with its down tempo beat and sulky lyrics 'No, No, No, I won't be Coming Home.' into an upbeat blaze.
The piano laden Egyptian melodies of 'In Cairo” ascend and descend into a classic song, complete with an eratic guitar solo, a rock star jam session, and a delicate decadent ending.
Get ready to want to shake and move, this band is fun and contagious. If 'Make up the Breakdown' is not enough HHH released a 5 song EP prior entitled 'Knock Knock Knock,' which was partly produced by Death Cab for Cutie's, Chris Walla. |