The Hot Melts - The Hot Melts

The Hot Melts recently got nobody hot under the collar with their “ultra-controversial” video for single Red Lips. It features semi-naked, cavorting ladies and, gasp, people taking cocaine. It’s a cheap stunt destined only to win fans who still find The Kooks edgy. In terms of scurrilous scandal, it’s up there with Sinead from B*witched telling Smash Hits she quite likes a Bailey’s before bed. Musically, the single’s a cross between the cock-out rawk of Jet and the glammy noise of Switches or Weezer, laid out on an I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor template. The rest of the album follows suit: chunky, melodic riffs (sometimes unfortunately reminiscent of Bush), catchy choruses and none-too subtle allusions to debauchery and druggery. Incongruously enough, there’s also a bizarre granny tribute called Nana, the subject of which would no doubt be proud to find herself eulogised on such a 'tasteful' collection.