Hot Chip: Made in the Dark
Bendable, poseable and made without the aid of artificial lighting.
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Friday, 01, Feb 2008 10:52
EMI records, out February 4th.
In a nutshell...
Stimulating, electronic, authentic, rave-inspired pop.
What's it all about?
Made in the Dark is the third studio album from British electropop band Hot Chip. The first release from the album, Shake a Fist, created a stir among fans when it crept out on a limited 12" in September 2007 and the new single, Ready for the Floor, was reportedly requested by Kylie Minogue's management before the idea was dropped. Although usually placed within the indie category, Hot Chip are notoriously difficult to pin down. They draw influences from a wide range of sources, from German minimal techno to Prince, Ray Charles, Fleetwood Mac and New Order. With their third album the band have returned to their peculiar brand of mechanically emotive pop and despite having fashioned remixes for the likes of the Rolling Stones, Scissor Sisters, the Go! Team and Gorillaz after their successful second album, Hot Chip remain refreshingly willing to depart from the styles of the pillars of rock and create their own distinctive sound.
Who's it by?
At the centre of Hot Chip are school friends Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard, who were in the same sixth year at Elliott in Putney. Together with Owen Clarke, Felix Martin and Al Doyle, the band formed in 2000 and self-released records for years before signing with Moshi Moshi in 2003. Their debut album Coming on Strong was released in 2004 but it was their second record The Warning that really caught people's attention. It was named as Mixmag's album of the year in 2006 and spawned two UK top 40 singles. Hot Chip are probably best known for their hit Over and Over from The Warning. The unforgettably infectious track was named the single of the year in 2006 by NME. Hot Chip have also established a reputation for their live shows due to their tendency to completely refashion well-known songs into something completely novel.
As an example
"Since we fell apart I've been nothing but blue/Longing for a night time to bring back my you/Every night in motion together apart/Apart from the moments so dear to my heart/We were made in the dark." - Made in the Dark
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Over and Over was nominated for an Ivor Novello award and The Warning was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. Made in the Dark is more likely to capture the imagination of indie institutions than the likes of the Grammy's.
What the others say
"It boings and pings around like a jack-in-the-box." - Guardian
"The sharpest dance rockers this side of their pals LCD Soundsystem: catchy tunes, monster grooves, and lyrics resolving the heartfelt and the smartass." - Rolling Stone
So is it any good?
With Made in the Dark Hot Chip have admirably managed to retain a genuine sense of their individuality despite becoming hugely successful and gaining mainstream appeal after signing with EMI. This is largely due to the fact that, like the previous two records, the album was recorded mostly at home. The band members have now experienced two years of touring across the globe, they have taken in Australia and Japan and, incredibly, their gig at Somerset House sold out in less than a day, yet the computer geekiness that is the chief appeal of Hot Chip is still alive and well.
The main evolution from their earlier work is that Made in the Dark contains more ballads than the previous albums. Tracks like Whistle for Will, In the Privacy of Our Love and Made in the Dark demonstrate that Hot Chip are capable of producing melancholy, tuneful and intimate songs which showcase Taylor's impressive voice as well as thumping dance-floor fillers. My only complaint about the album would be that a couple of the songs such as Bendable Poseable and Don't Dance take a while to get going. That said, stand out tracks Shake a Fist, Ready for the Floor and One Pure Thought deliver the same exhilarating rhythmic urgency that fans of the band have come to expect. All in all, Made in the Dark does not disappoint.
8/10
Natasha Hegde