Search - Hot Chip :: Coming on Strong

The first half gets all the stars

B. B. Hawes | Mancos, CO United States | 03/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Think of it as an amazing EP. Other reviewers have got it right - this album is unclassifiable, and amazing -- for about 7 songs. In fact, I'm not positive about anything about this album. It is that unsettling. Imagine Paul McCartney getting brain-damaged and haunted by Beck's Midinite Vultures, with only a cheap keyboard to keep him company. Maybe. I am having a hard time even forming an opinion of these guys, which is usually an indicator that they are doing something very good."

Both disposable and indisposable songs

Jason Harrington | www.myspace.com/mad_trucker | 02/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Songs 1-6 (possibly stretching it to include 7) you will have to pry from my cold dead fingers because they rule the known universe, but the very next song seems to begin the downward decent which culminates in "Baby Said"--a song I could absolutly do without owning or even hearing (I hate skipping tracks so I try to sit through it and it just hurts me). At a minimum though, I think everyone should have "Playboy" on their I-Pod (pun intended), because it's one of the greatest songs I have ever heard in my life. Most of this album can be choked down simply because "Playboy" is on it. "Comming On Strong" is like the super nerd answer to Nelly (I hate Nelly like Jews hate Hitler). One more tidbit: the bonus tracks are WORTHY. In fact, if I could improve upon this album, I would remove "You Ride, We Ride..." (a song better suited for Air, whom I like) & "Baby Said." I would keep the bonus songs, and if "Shining Escalade" or "One One One" dissapeared then I would not miss them, but as it stands I can sit through them. This is one of those albums like the recent releases from Chromeo and Scissor Sisters, because I could make the sickest dance party blend by compiling the best tracks from the three, but I must say that Hot Chip ages way better than those two simply because the humor is delivered in such a sincere way. I don't think this is goofy like Ween, but if you compiled Ween's rare serious moments from the Mollusk, Quebec, & White Pepper (for starters) then made retro synth funk remixes of them--it might be like this. I can't wait to hear the new record Hot Chip working on. They are off to one hell of a good start."

Happy music for a depressing day

Brian Koschak | springfield, mo United States | 02/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i can't quite figure these guys out... are they a downer band or are they upbeat jokesters? hot chip is the exact center point between dreary radiohead and hip-bucking Beck, and, yes, it is as weird as that sounds. "playboy" is without question the standout track and is one of the very best/weirdest pop songs i've heard in many years. most of the album is incredible , tho there are moments where i wanna rip the keyboard out of their hands... oh well... but most of the album grows like a fungus over repeated spins so it's rewarding as time goes on.



this record would sound great thumpin' at a summertime party or alone in your room with your headphones as you curse the entire world and everyone in it. one of the more unique listening experiences i've had in a while.



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