Hot Chip - Coming OnStrong

Wed 23rd Mar, 2005 in Music Reviews

Every now and then someone comes along that re-ignites the so-called “bedroom music” scene. Songs with simple themes, pared back melodies and lo-fi instrumentation filter into the mainstream, but then fade away again. Just ask the Streets. Coming off the back of two EPs released in 2001 and 2002, Hot Chip have taken a break from their fairly regular DJing duties to release their debut album, Coming On Strong. Hot Chip are Joe Goddard and Alexis Taylor, who share all instrumental duties as well as the vocals on the album. They exemplify the bedroom music sound, but without the traditional chest thumping and cockney accents of bedroom hip-hop. Instead, its more funk, reggae and jazz, and it works quite well.

Opening track Take Care fiddles around with a reggae tune, throttling it back to its bare basics. Synthesised notes and drum machines carry Beach Party, although it’s hardly a party song. Keep Fallin’ is similar, but also introduces the first of many references to old school dance and funk musicians, asking “Don’t you ever wonder how the hell does Stevie Wonder see things?” The sombre Playboy brings the tempo even further down, as crisp beats play out over moody organ sounds, while Down With Prince may be the albums most danceable tune, although once again the muted synthesiser sounds make it hard to imagine doing anything more than tapping a toe or wriggling an eyebrow. The album continues in this fashion, and although the sounds may change, the vibe never does. Its all about synthesised organ, drum machines, and subdued vocals. Each song contains numerous layers of instrumentation, and regular listens can reveal new depths in each song.

However, there is a very pressing drawback with the album; none of the tracks stands out. The vocals are so hushed and emotionless, it’s hard to try and determine what is being said, much less get involved and care about the meaning. There are no standout singles, and even after a couple of listens, it’s hard to remember one song by any distinguishing feature. Even penultimate track Baby Said, which contains the biggest beat and loudest vocals, struggles to distinguish itself against what has come before. It’s a dance album which you can’t dance to, an album which would sit perfectly as the background music of a cafe, a party album for a party that only five people came to. This doesn’t mean there’s a lack of soul, the album has soul, its just struggling to distinguish itself from the crushing sounds.

Coming On Strong is an unusual electronic album. It has a clear sound, and is well produced, but still maintains the home-made, bedroom feel. Like any album, it will call out to some people and not to others, but the feel of the album is that it was made by two people who were solely intent on making music which they would like, and it’s just a lucky coincidence that we get to listen to it as well. And in a time when music is too often nothing more than pandering to the masses, this makes a refreshing and unexpected change.