In Our Heads

Hot Chip!!

(hahahah)

I first heard "Over and Over" at Lucky Bar when I was a wee lass of 19. I was newly single, Jolene and I had just moved to an apartment in James Bay, we were going out all of the time and barely making ends meet by both of us working in a bakery. I'm glad Jolene and I were always obnoxious enough to go up to DJ Longshanks several times a night and ask what song he was playing ("Oh my GZOD! What is this SZZZOONGG!!!??"), because although the band members of Hot Chip don't know it, we've been through lots together, and they're one of my favorite bands.  I love the combination and contrast of Alexis Taylors high, distinctive voice and the lazy deeper voice of Joe Goddard, who looks like a huge burly lumberjack with a heart of gold.  I love that the songs aren't always serious, like singing about Escalades or Prince, especially coming from the tiniest nerd singer, Taylor, who looks like he probably got the shit beaten out of him by a bunch of "chavs" on a daily basis back in junior high.  Maybe the lyrics from "The Warning" are directed at bullies, now that he has a big weird band to back him up... "Hot Chip will break your legs/snap off your heads/Hot Chip will put you down/Under the ground" 

 The Warning was the first HC album I listened to. It's dancey as shit with tons of hits on it, but it also has a slow jam on it called "Look After Me" that took the band out of the kluhb and into ma room. I still listen to it on the regular and consider it one of mine and Katy's songs after we had a "skip work, dress up, drink wine and bedroom dance to sweet music all day instead" day.

"Colors" from The Warning

The Warning left me wanting more, so I backtracked to their 2004 album Coming On Strong and was smitten! I find that I get obsessed with certain songs from an album, and that my favorites will change over time until I've really connected with each song. Then I can mentally note that album as an all time fav! Coming on Strong is one of those albums for me. "The Beach Party" and "Keep Fallin'" are the light, summery and fun songs that attracted me to the album, like a hot, funny babe that has the coolest dance moves at a party. The slower songs like "Baby Said" and "Shining Escalade" are like realizing that this hot babe is actually an awesome person and is really good at lay-down kisses and will make you breakfast in the morning.

"Crap Kraft Dinner" from Coming on Strong, one of my favorites. And holy christ are there way too many homemade weirdo videos for this song.

Made In The Dark came out in 2008. My roommate at the time, Shaun and I got obsessed with this album at the same time. We'd both come home with our head phones blasting and would rave about our current favorites. This album is pretty dancey but again, has one of the best slow jams ever, "We're Looking For a Lot of Love." I saw them play in Vancouver at the Commodore Ballroom for their Made In The Dark tour. I was front and left, danced my ass off the entire time and can say that it was definitely one of the best and most fun shows that I've ever been to.

"One Pure Thought" from Made In The Dark

One Life Stand made me realize that it's their fourth studio album, and making it that long as a band is impressive in itself, so I shan't expect every song to be my absolute favorite. I probably listened to this album the least out of any hot chip album. There's a few goodies on there, but also quite a few songs that I just wasn't interested in. The best song on the album, in my opinion of course, is called "Hand Me Down Your Love" ... and it's super mawfuggin hard to find a version that isn't a remix so I'm posting a live video, which showcases perfectly what a weird wiener lead singer Alexis Taylor is!

Hand Me Down Your Love

What this all boils down to is that Hot Chip has a new album out, In Our Heads. I've listened to a little bit of it, and can't get passed the first song, "Motion Sickness." It's too good! And the best start to an album that I've heard in a long time. That drum beat! Those horn-ish sounding keyboards that keep on throughout the song! Everything about it! I have a feeling that the rest of the album isn't going to be as catchy but I can feel a "Flutes" obsession coming on fo SHAAOOW!

Motion Sickness