Hot Hot Heat
" Make Up the Breakdown" (LP) and "Knock Knock Knock" (EP)
(Sub Pop)

Sometimes you get a random visual at the start of a record that you just can't shake. Picture if you can… A well lit home in typical suburbia, a Friday night after the show, teeming with youthful fireballs of freedom claiming the "Man" is bad and bangs were never out of style. In walks the singer of the band… silence, gawking, and petty optic flirtations. Then you notice he's wearing a shirt that says "Nobody Knows I'm Not New Wave" and that makes everything seem all right.
Hot Hot Heat have the appeal of those good old '70s pop bands (i.e. the Cars, and Squeeze) right alongside Robert Smith-ish vocal inflections, and very straight ahead rhythm (a la Spoon/Clinic minus that style of production). It's good. It's damn good. Both releases could have been on the same record I feel, but, hey, that just means more money for the label and the band. Right on.
They sound a little bit like a lot, but not exactly like anything else. I've got to give Hot Hot Heat an "A" for Attention to detail and an "E" for the Execution. They are a unique band with flavor for the lot. Take it home with you tonight, and you will not be disappointed. I personally guarantee it.

-Jeff