Hot Chip
Made In The Dark
Release Date: Feb 5, 2008
Genre(s): Indie, Rock, Electronic
Record label: Astralwerks
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Album Review: Made In The Dark by Hot Chip
Great, Based on 5 Critics
Based on rating 4/5
There’s not really an Over And Over moment on this instalment of the Hot Chip saga, but the indie dance hotshots have come up with their best overall album so far. It definitely sees them stretch beyond the jammy electro-rock they’re famous for, and even their most unlikely experiments succeed this time around. They sound confident and more like a real band, but they haven’t shed any of their weirdness.
Based on rating 8/10
Made in the Dark expands Hot Chip's emotional range as much as their musical range, swinging from the funky, pissed-off "Shake a Fist" to the stream-of-consciousness pop of "One Pure Thought," a witty, wordy gem that comes across like Paul McCartney backed by New Order. Made in the Dark's main weakness might be its ballads, but that may just be in comparison to its many energetic moments, which are so addictive that it feels like a forced come-down whenever the band slows things down. On their own terms, however, "We're Looking for a Lot of Love" is luminously sad, and the title track's heartfelt simplicity and restraint is impressive.
Based on rating 3.0/5
Review Summary: A quirkier, though far less impressive, outing for the UK electronica goons.When I first heard that the title of Hot Chip’s newest album was to be “Made In the Dark” I smiled a little, dismissing it as the kind of stupid little ironic sex joke the band usually employ. One thing’s for sure though, I definitely didn’t expect the album’s title track to be so sad, so slow, or so serious. I might have expected it to be a little better, a little catchier, but I guess the same can be said for the whole album.After all, when Hot Chip’s The Warning came out a couple years ago, it really did surprise me.
Opinion: Excellent
Review by Dan Nishimoto.
Opinion: Very Good
Though the titles of their first two records – 2004's Coming on Strong and 2006's The Warning – alerted to some incoming fierceness, it's on album No. 3 that Hot Chip finally make good on the those Hulk hands they brandished in early promo stills. All boosted lumens, bold colors and slashing guitars, Made in the Dark is neon bright and flicker-fidgety.
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