Album Review

The Hot Melts – The Hot Melts

• 10th Sep 2009

When these guys performed a the Barfly a few months back their set left a listener with a sense of disappointment. However when approached with the album, intrigue sets it in and after listening, they would be welcomed back anytime. Since escaping the confinements of that small stage, the Hot Melts have cracked up to be much more impressive than you first realise. With this, their self-titled album, they have done wonders in bringing a slice of 70’s rock ‘n’ roll into 2009.

The majority of songs have this rock ‘n’ roll basis with incredibly strong and dominant guitar riffs; they don’t leave much time for a breath with such a fast pace. Occasionally however, some songs have much darker guitars, adding an alternative rock element while at other times, you are offered up heartache of gentle guitars. Unfortunately, the raw passion comes to an end with the concluding track as the creativity goes wild. It starts off quite spiritual, choir like and slightly otherworldly, but the sound eventually goes haywire and all you are left with is a full blown experimental song which can be hard on the ears.

The Hot Melts sure know how to write a passionate and meaningful song, not to mention lyrics and more specifically choruses that beg to be shouted from the rooftops. Many people get the feeling their departed loved ones surround them, so the Hot Melts write ‘Nana’ as a dedication. ‘24’ is about a man wanting to be 24 on a woman’s list of men she has been with, hoping after him she will not need anyone else, while ‘Archie’ is a short dedication to the comics. Throughout there are small harmonies like the “oh lala” backing ‘Big Baby,’ the “bops” to ‘Fun’ or backing “woo” of ‘Shrink’ which really adds a well rounded feel to each song. When present, the harmonies add an anthematic sense. The unique thing about the vocals is that they are not only strong, but the lad who supplies them doesn’t just sing the lyrics in time to the music, keeping on a steady pace, but adds his own tone to the words, has his own element and flow to keep you on your toes.

Impressive beyond belief is the feeling achieved by the Hot Melts with their debut. Roll on more live gigs to see this album put into action.