Hot Hot Heat - Happiness Ltd.
(2007)
Review
by Sean Lynch
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Hot Hot
Heat
Tracks
1. Happiness
Ltd.
2. Let Me In
3. 5 Times Out of 100
4. Harmonicas & Tambourines
5. Outta Heart
6. My Best Fiend
7. Conversation
8. Give Up?
9. Good Day to Die
10. So So Cold
11. Waiting for Nothing
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What
happens when indie rock gets
old? It starts getting more expensive - thats what! And as the electro
nuts begin to take the reigns from the garage rockers of the mantle of
popular music - bands like Hot Hot Heat are being left out in the cold.
The year was 2003, I was drinking heavily on the fifth night of
schoolies and Rage
was kicking into gear on the telebox. Then, through a sea of Blink 182
tracks emerged a disco-cow bell-studded ditty called Talk To Me Dance With Me. It
was the beginning of my love affair with Hot Hot Heat.
An
album later ("Elevator"), the buzz had disapated somewhat - but the
songs were just as strong if not stronger with indie pop and an obvious
commercial flavour (in particular on Middle of Nowhere).
Sadly,
things have come to a screeching (literally) halt with the release of
"Happiness Ltd". I'm not sure what happened in between to last
listening to "Elevator" and now, but for some reason, Steve Bays vocals
are about as soothing a vinegar bath after being skinned alive.
The
major problem with "Happiness Ltd" is that not only is it more of the
same from the Canadian born rockers, but there simply isn't anything
that stands out from the crowd. And no, I'm not simply talking about a
song that will become a massive radio sensation - there isn't even a
song that stands out amongst the other songs on the album.
It's
a case of to little to late, the sound of a band not sure whether they
want to be radio favourites or indie heroes, which ultimately results
in a misguided album.
However, things aren't all bad - with support tours with The Killers, Snow Patrol on the cards
(so expect HHH to appear on Greys Anatomy any
day now).
Let Me
In suffers the most from "Whiny Voice" syndrome, while 5 Times Out of 100
and Conversation
show some promise and remind the listener of the sort of catchy pop the
boys are capable of.
But
let's get down to it - is "Happiness Ltd" that much of a right off?
Well, no. There are worse things in the world than this album (I'm
looking at you Hinder!!), but as a fan - it's more just a sense of
underwhelming disappointment.
ALBUM
RATING: 2 out of 5
 
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