Last year I decided I needed to be more selective about the vinyl I purchased. This decision was partially driven by finances but also by the practical consideration of where to put all of this stuff. Therefore when Hot Chip announced their new album I decided not to pre-order it.
Therefore, when this copy of the album arrived in the mail (complete with signed art print) soon after release, it came as something of a surprise. Someone really should take my phone off me when I have been drinking.
"Down" is based around a long sample of "More Than Enough" by Universal Togetherness Band. This track features acoustic drums and employs the over saturated vocal sound that Depeche Mode seem to love nowadays. You can tell I'm not a fan.
"Eleanor" starts very brightly but the acoustic drums sound saggy and drag the whole thing down. "Freakout/Release" is produced by Soulwax and inevitably sounds like it could have been culled from their "Nite Versions" album.
On the flip side "Broken" is one of the better tracks on the album as it has a lush sound and strong, almost pop, melody. "Not Alone" is a slower and more contemplative effort but it becomes a bit boring. Lyrically "It's Hard to be Funky" is just stupid but more accomplished from a production perspective.
The second disc kicks off with "Time" which develops into a great dance number that might have befitted from coming at the start of the album. "Miss This Bliss" simply takes too long to get going and when it does gather some momentum neither the groove nor the melody are strong enough to impress. Disappointingly "The Evil That Men Do" sees the return of saturated vocals and seems to borrow the piano riff from Moby's "Honey".
On the final side of the album "Guilty" has a strong electronic sound and enough eighties touches to be seriously impressive. In fact this is my favourite song on the album. "Out of my Depth" is yet another attempt to produce a flourish at the end of the album. This track reminds me of the sound of early Kraftwerk; all it needs is some flute to complete the sound. A fair effort but not one of their best. 2.5/5
