Album Review
Sean Darlington
These guys seem to have an uncanny knack for knowing when to change a song and when to leave it alone.
Gaz Coombes and Danny Goffey of Supergrass have formed their own cover band known as The Hotrats. They have just released Turn Ons, a compilation of some of their favorite songs by some of their greatest influences. Nigel Godrich, the legendary producer best known for his work with Radiohead on OK Computer, was enlisted to help with the album. The resulting sound is remarkable.
The album opens with a freshly rejuvenated version of “I Can’t Stand It”. The Velvet Underground classic is brought to life once again with a driving beat and a brisk tempo. This is followed by their version of “Big Sky”. This modern day remake of one of The Kinks’ lesser known songs reintroduces the listener to another fantastic yet forgotten guitar riff of yesteryear. Their cover of “The Crystal Ship” retains the psychedelic feeling The Doors were known for while adding some Jimi Hendrix style distortion on the guitars.
From there the album continues to journey through the last 40 years of music making all sorts of unexpected stops along the way. These guys seem to have an uncanny knack for knowing when to change a song and when to leave it alone. Their versions of “Pump it Up” (Elvis Costello) and “Damaged Goods” (Gang of Four) remain true to form yet take on a whole new life in their hands. However, their remake of “(You’ve Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” by the Beastie Boys shares nothing but lyrics with the original. The music sounds more like “I Can See for Miles” by the Who but surprisingly enough it works.
The other stops on their journey include visits to Roxy Music, Pink Floyd, The Cure, David Bowie, The Sex Pistols and The Squeeze. The album then finds its way full circle to end with a live version of the opening track.
The Hotrats have an amazing talent for taking a song and making it their own. They also have a unique sound which is amazingly fresh and new yet strangely reminiscent of the popular sounds of the British Invasion of the sixties. Their one of a kind sound lends itself perfectly to these tracks and this is one album you won’t want to miss.
The album opens with a freshly rejuvenated version of “I Can’t Stand It”. The Velvet Underground classic is brought to life once again with a driving beat and a brisk tempo. This is followed by their version of “Big Sky”. This modern day remake of one of The Kinks’ lesser known songs reintroduces the listener to another fantastic yet forgotten guitar riff of yesteryear. Their cover of “The Crystal Ship” retains the psychedelic feeling The Doors were known for while adding some Jimi Hendrix style distortion on the guitars.
From there the album continues to journey through the last 40 years of music making all sorts of unexpected stops along the way. These guys seem to have an uncanny knack for knowing when to change a song and when to leave it alone. Their versions of “Pump it Up” (Elvis Costello) and “Damaged Goods” (Gang of Four) remain true to form yet take on a whole new life in their hands. However, their remake of “(You’ve Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” by the Beastie Boys shares nothing but lyrics with the original. The music sounds more like “I Can See for Miles” by the Who but surprisingly enough it works.
The other stops on their journey include visits to Roxy Music, Pink Floyd, The Cure, David Bowie, The Sex Pistols and The Squeeze. The album then finds its way full circle to end with a live version of the opening track.
The Hotrats have an amazing talent for taking a song and making it their own. They also have a unique sound which is amazingly fresh and new yet strangely reminiscent of the popular sounds of the British Invasion of the sixties. Their one of a kind sound lends itself perfectly to these tracks and this is one album you won’t want to miss.
90/100
