Hot One consists of some big shots, in no particular order: Kevin March from the Dambuilders; Nathan Larson of Shudder to Think, and Jordan Kern from escalate, and Emm Gryner, their bass player and singer. Honestly, I don't know much about those bands anyway, and to me, Gryner makes this album what it is. Without her this could be waved off as some other 'project' by the above mentioned big-names and not given much more thought.
What this album does is rock. I could see people being very split on this album, some probably love it and others probably hate it. But who doesn't like to rock? My guess is, those that have dismissed this album sort of wanted to hate it anyway because of whatever high or low expectations they had before listening. It's got all the right guitar riffs and beats to make you want to get up and rock out, but also enough credibility that it doesn't feel like an ironic half-handed homage to actual rock instead (which seems to happen a lot). No, you're not going to label this the album that saved your life, but you should put it up there on the list of well-worn out CD's.
Some may moan that this album has been put forward as having a politically challenging set of lyrics, but don't let that confuse you into thinking it's all kumbaya and terrible for the sacrifice of the greater good. The lyrics fit the music, it's challenging enough to not bore or sound repetitive and the collective urgent nature in this sort of rushed-out-rock makes it the perfect set to include a message without freaking people out.
Overall, I will be listening to this album a lot. It brings up the urge to listen to Cheap Trick, some tough 80's metal, or dance to some Billy Idol. So yea, it rocks.
- Amanda Spadaccini | 2006-10-06
