Imagine if it was made in the light (Made In The Dark - Hot Chip)

Member Name: dtait09

Product:	Made In The Dark - Hot Chip
Date:	02/08/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: some strong tracks/singles

Disadvantages: a few slow fillers

**SHORT HISTORY

Hot Chip are an unconventional dance band that are best known for their previous album, 'The Warning' which was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. It did not win but two of the albums singles; 'and I was a boy from school' and 'over and over' became cult hits and thus anticipation was rife for this, their third album, 'Made in the Dark'.

To increase the hype just that little bit more there has been the top ten single 'Ready for the floor', which was wrongly touted as a track that Kylie Minogue turned down though from its irritatingly catchy chorus there is no doubt comparisons going to be made.

***THE ALBUM

"Out At the Pictures" 8/10

Takes a while to get going but starts where the previous album left off. A good representation of their 'electronic indie' tag

"Shake a Fist" 9/10

The albums first single, although only available on limited edition formats. Has weird voice over half way through which at first sounds annoying but then grows on you

"Ready for the floor" 10/10

Most people have heard this by now, almost perfect pop song. Great overlapping of vocals and use of guitars. Great video too.

"Bendable poseable" 7/10

Completely over the top but anything that follows the previous track is always gonna sound inferior

"Were looking for a lot of love" 10/10

First signs that the band can write slow, sophisticated, almost ballad like songs. Builds from a slow organ and infuses great backing vocals to become one of the albums strongest songs

"Touch too much" 9/10

Another strong track that gets better with every listen. Great blend of drums, guitars as well as the signature electronica

"Made in the dark" 9/10

A further demonstration of the slow burners on this album showing versatility that only appeared irregularly on the previous album. The title track song is another great addition

"One pure thought" 8/10

Opening with rock-like electric guitars which again makes the album sound really varied and more enjoyable.

"Hold On" 10/10

My favourite track on the whole album, all six minutes of it. Really represents the best parts of Hot Chip. Disposable trashy lyrics which fit in really well alongside the beat. Such as "im only going to heaven if its feels like hell, im only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel" and "sir, ive a good mind to take you outside"

"Wrestlers" 6/10

Again, I am not sure if its is because it is straight after a really strong track but wrestlers doesn't do it for me.

"Dont dance" 6/10

It's a shame that at the back end of this album there are two songs where I just feel like I am getting a bit bored. The track feels like a bit of a mish mash whereas I am a fan of the tracks that flow and feel more like completed songs. Perhaps it's a dance thing

"Whistle for Will" 6/10

Although another slow song varying the flow of the album once more, this one doesn't stand up against the others. It's a bit too dreary and limps over the line.

"In the privacy of our love" 6/10

Its strange how the album finishes on a slow note too, perhaps a signal of intent; wanting to show the darker, sensitive side of Hot Chip yet again I am left wanting a bit more substance due to the greatness of earlier tracks.

***OVERALL

In summary I think this album is great, a really good mixture of songs. I am not an avid dance or electronic fan but to me it just sounds like good music. Everything about Hot Chip's music seems to fall into place. The lyrics are secondary to the music yet like on 'Hold On' and 'Ready for the floor' they are just good pop songs that deserve to rival the amount of tripe up the top end at the moment (umbrella disturbingly springs to mind)

The variation of tracks are its undoubted plus points; the album has a more guitar feel to its predecessor yet it doesn't take anything away from what was good about their music before. If anything the album is more defined and with it more commercially viable. But don't let that put you off, there are enough strong songs on here to make it worth paying the £9 mark, or whatever the various outlets sell CDs for now (mine was a birthday present incidentally).

Its fall backs are definitely the latter part of the album. There are perhaps too many slow songs, which brings what started off as a really good mixture of material culminating in a real drab finish. I think the flow of the album may have even suited having 'Hold On' at the end just to leave you with that sense of euphoria rather than an anti climax.

***INDIVIDUAL TRACKS

If any people are still unsure about whether they would like this I would recommend tracking down tracks like 'Hold On', 'Ready for the floor' or 'Shake a Fist'; they are probably the best representations for this album. Any one unsure whether they would like the Hot Chip sound in general, i.e a dance pessimist would be best trying earlier work such as 'Over and Over' or 'Boy from school'. Youtube is one of the best places to see their videos which 'over and over' and 'ready for the floor' are visually very receptive.
To conclude, I would give this album a 4 1/2 out of 5, with little room for improvement. I am sure that the album will sustain success and that the upcoming festival season will see 'Made in the Dark' become an album that will enjoy two sets of big sales. I for one would definitely look out for them on a live setting and look forward to future releases!

This is an updated version of my review on ciao as dtait07

Summary: Good album