Make Up the Breakdown

Just as jittery and caffeinated as anything Joe Jackson or XTC could cook up, Hot Hot Heat’s first full-length album is a lot of synthpunk/indie pop fun. Steve Bays’ nervy voice adds a great amount of acerbic wit to songs like “Oh Goddamnit” or “No, Not Now.” “Talk to Me, Dance With Me” is funky and contains a guitar-and-keyboard line that sounds as angular and riff heavy as anything off of The Cars’ debut album or Candy-O. The best moment on the entire album though is “Bandages” – a witty wordplay game featuring an almost stupid chorus and enough ADHD keyboard lines to give you a freak out. The first time I heard it, and the great ending line: “Bandages have advantages too,” I knew that I would love this band. DOWNLOAD: “Bandages”