Thursday, December 01, 2005

Hot Chip / Coming On Strong / Rating 8.0

This slightly reconfigured U.S. issue comes off at first like slight pop-- novelty even.

Word for word the Hot Chip one sheet from Astralwerks:
Newly signed to Astralwerks and DFA, Hot Chip is London’s twisted and up and coming electronic pop band whose influence range from The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Prince, to Ween, Madlib and Devo.

PFM says:
"Hot Chip wear influences like yellow Livestrong bracelets-- quietly, gallantly, but a bit too noticeably. The Beach Boys, Prince, Ween, 60s girl groups, Dr. Dre, Devo, Stevie Wonder, Madlib"

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? WAY TO COMPLETELY UNABASHEDLY COPY A PRESS RELEASE. THIS ISN”T JOURNALISM IT IS A WINK AWAY FROM PLAGERISM.

Also mentioned on the press sheet:
LCD Soundsystem, Ladytron, Four Tet, NERD, Phoenix, Doobie Brothers, Wings, and Prince…who is referred to as the Purple one.

PFM says:
"American heavyweight counterparts LCD Soundsystem, a more forceful, knowing act, are clearly an influence, and "Down With Prince" is Hot Chip's "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House".

"The desperate Purple allegiance is pretty apparent though. Someone oughta FedEx this record to Paisley Park. These guys have the gall."

"He nods at obvious lyrical influence Ween"

PFM goes out on their own to further describe Hot Chip :
Chemical Brothers meets Art Brut

I thought the one sheet was a band reference headache and here it is repeated all over the place in the PFM review. Maybe confusing the reader into a frenzy of what the hell does this band actually sound like will drive people to seek it out, download a few tracks or buy it.

Some people sing into hairbrushes while jumping on their bed but these four S.E. Londoners decided to record it for posterity in what sounds like a contest to keep a straight face. The record is so drum machine/vocal/ instrument ghetto that one would guess it was just two lonely ironic pop culture referencing homebodies with guest vocals by a little brother whose voice has yet to change. Maybe two of the band members are interpretive dancers and have really good pot?

I am neither a massive Beta Band fan or Ween fan but there is no doubt Hot Chip is their middle child and a fan of one will love the other. Novelty rock doesn’t curdle my cream so more than likely aside from “You Ride, We Ride, In My Ride” I will never play this record again earning a 6.5 rating by my comedy Casio standards.

PS:
If we are going to heavily quote the one sheet I might as well go on to tell you this domestic release of Hot Chip’s Coming on Strong features 3 more tracks than the import. ( A-B-C, Hittin Skitties, From Drummer to Driver)