196. Hot Hot Heat – Make Up the Breakdown
I heard the song Bandages coming from my daughter’s room one day in late 2002 and I said “What is this? I must have it.” And I stole the CD from her. Don’t think I ever gave it back.
It’s very rare that I will instantly fall in love with an entire album, especially one from a band I never heard before. It usually takes many listens to accomplish that feeling of love. Does it work in the house, in the car, at work? Is it an album I’d play anywhere? Does it make me want to start it again as soon as it’s over? This one passed all the tests. It works everywhere. It’s driving music and working music, and it’s dancing music and thinking music. Make Up the Breakdown is what the Cure would sound like if Robert Smith took Prozac. It’s all 80’s post punk/new wave without the introspection of that genre.
This album is a restart button for my head. If I’m having a crappy day, I put this on and it feels like a fresh start. You can’t help but feel joy when you listen to this. In fact, this is what I was listening to one day when my coworker called me a “ray of fucking sunshine.” I had to think a bit about whether she really meant it or not, but it didn’t matter, because Oh, Goddamnit was on and it certainly was making me feel like a ray of fucking sunshine.
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April 15th, 2009
Something similar happened to me but with my kid sister. There’s something about Hot Hot Heat…
April 20th, 2009
I know how this feels- there is nothing better than an entire album sweetly seducing the soul. The Chemistry’s album does it for me. Not once do I need to skip over a track- they’re all pure gold! Seriously, listen to them: they’re, like…. gods of music! http://www.myspace.com/thechemistry
I’ll listen to this song, later today, when I’m not at work. Lookin’ forward to it! Thanks for sharing!
May 10th, 2009
Hey, where are the newest albums to be admitted to the TINP list? Been a long time without updates…
June 7th, 2009
I impulse bought this album after seeing it up here, and I want to thank you for that, haha. I like Elevator more, but this is still really fun and carefree.
Also, it’s really cool that you use Grooveshark! They’re based here in Gainesville, and I’m friends with a few of their coders.
March 12th, 2010
Excellent! If I could write like this I would be well chuffed. The more I read articles of such quality as this (which is rare), the more I think there might be a future for the Net. Keep it up, as it were.