If It’s Cool With You It’s Cool With Me,
Hot Rod CircuitThis was the follow up to the quartet’s debut album "If I Knew Now What I Knew Then" and sees the band pushing in a more rock orientated direction. Something which differs from their latest Vagrant release "Sorry About Tomorrow". Having been around the scene for around six years they could be considered 'veterans' in today’s movers and shakers in the punk scene, but back in 2000 they were relatively unknown and churned out a predictably bouncy emo-rock album which could be pinpointed back to a time when that was what the kids wanted. What HRC have managed to do is produce an album which clocks in at a short 28 minutes, but doesn't disappoint one bit.
'Radio Song' opens the album in energetic fashion, an indication of things to come. The chorus is catchy as hell with a hook that makes it instantly appealing. Ironically enough this would fit on a radio station near you perfectly. 'Supersad' picks up where the previous song left off with another earspinning riff which keeps the song propped up through an otherwise standard effort. 'Two Hand Touch' is a slower number with the slurring vocals of frontman Andy Jackson pounding his way through a marvellous exchange of bass and guitar.
'Power of the Vitamins' is a powerful effort and is a standout track. The music remains strong throughout and once again the frontman steals the show with the thought provoking and powerful lyrics. 'Cool With Me' and 'Versatility' launch out the blocks at a lightning pace not letting up for the energetic feel of the album. As if feeling the need for the paint by numbers emo album, 'This Is Not The Time Or The Place' is an acoustic number which never really hits the mark.
'Smithsonian River' feels a little laboured when stood next to previous efforts, but the excellent 'Flight 89' makes amends and if you have seen the band live you will realise what an excellent tune this is. 'You Kill Me' feels almost reflective over what the band have done and keeps up the pressure for final song 'What’s Left Standing'. It is arguably the type of song you would expect to find the most on an emo album, and is a sombre end to an otherwise passionately made album.
This was certainly the album which catapulted HRC to bigger things and it is by no means a poor effort. It just seems a little laboured at times, but maybe I am being too harsh. The obvious shining light for the band is the lyrics they write and the music they arrange which is a credit to them, but if you're a newer fan to the HRC settlement I suggest the slightly superior "Sorry About Tomorrow".
Jay
