Hot Chip
The Warning
EMI Records, 2006
By Natalie Sylvie Plourde
The sophomore album from British band Hot Chip is a delicious sound for sore ears. The Warning is a marriage of fun dance music, unorthodox structures and catchy tunes. Sometimes a little downbeat, often times upbeat, Hot Chip’s brand of lo-fi, often minimalist, but always catchy electronica will move your feet and bob your head.
The vocals in opening track “Careful” don’t seem to complement the music beneath them, but as the song progresses, the clashing layers fuse into one harmonious sound. A few other songs leave a similar impression, notably “Tchaparian” and “Arrest Yourself.” Just how did they manage to make all those conflicting noises pleasing? My guess is techno magic, but you can theorize for yourself.
The highlight of the album is title track “The Warning” hands down. It’s a fun juxtaposition of borderline-weirdo lyrics (“Hot Chip will break your legs / Snap off your head”) and beautiful ones (“Excuse me child / I am trying to see / All the colours of wonder your brightness can be”) to a predominantly bass, electro and xylophone melody. The music has different layers that become evident only on multiple hearings, and is a clear product of hard work and meticulousness. The biggest selling point of “The Warning” is the velvety vocals by Joe Goddard (who also plays synth), who has known Alexis Taylor (lead vocals and keyboards) and Owen Clarke (guitar and synth) since he was twelve. How endearing is that?
Speaking of endearing, the track “So Glad To See You” is best matched by the imagery of a smiling little boy holding a wilting rose. It is a melancholic, downtempo song about an endless love that can never be. The song is backed with harmonic “oh”s made by Al Doyle and Goddard along with the xylophone, slow bass and clicky drum machine that carry much of the album. The voice and keyboard effects used in the chorus and bridge are sure to break your heart in the most dulcet of ways. Who would have thought that a song that uses the word “ass” could still be sweeter than grandma’s cookies?
The Warning seems like a progression from the band’s debut album Coming on Strong. Whereas that album tended to rest on safer melodies and sillier lyrics, The Warning offers sound and lyrics that come from a more experimental place.
The Warning will not satisfy anyone looking for lyrics explaining the meaning of life. The words, though fun, don’t always make much sense. By and large, their ideas don’t relate. It’s more likely that the sound will reach out and touch you before the lyrics do.
It has certainly touched the English. The album was well recognized by UK charts last year with two top 40 tracks: “Over and Over” and “Boy From School.” Toronto-based Paper Bag Records also recognized the band in 2006; Hot Chip appeared on the compilation album See You on the Moon!: Songs for Kids of All Ages released by the label.
Recent success brought on by The Warning is a warning: Hot Chip is a band to keep your eye on.
