Tuesday 02 February 2010



QBiM SPiNS: Hot Chip, One Life Stand

Hot Chip fans are an unusual sort.  They’re staunch defenders of their favourite band, and quick to point out flawed thinking on the part of johnny-come-latelys like me.  Fist off, while The Warning was my introduction to the band, Hot Chip fans are quick to point out that it wasn’t the band’s first release (that would be 2005′s Coming On Strong).  Fair enough, but they’ll also be quick to point out that while The Warning may have been a great record that introduced the band to a wider audience, it isn’t the best Hot Chip album (again referring to the debut as that title-holder).  I get the sense that the band’s fans feel a motherly sense of protection towards Hot Chip, trying to stop some kind of mass love for the band from taking their precious baby away.

So it’s with a bit of hesitance that I even venture forward to offering some opinion about the band’s latest album, One Life Stand.  I got the sense that on 2008′s Made in the Dark, the band were sort of reaching their rebellious teen years and breaking away from their fans smothering adoration.  If that’s the case, then One Life Stand sees Hot Chip pack their bags and move out of the house, dead set on making a go it it on their own.  It’s a self-assured disc that fully embraces the mellow and melodic electro-pop sound that first made our ears prick up, and consistently moves from track to track.

“Nothing is wasted/life is worth living” sings Alexis Taylor on “I Feel Better” and the feeling goes beyond the lyrics to the music itself.  What you get on One Life Stand is an economy of sound and sentiment that’s near flawless.  The restraint and reserve of Med in the Dark are dropped liked unlocked shackles, and the liberation and joy that ensues is contagious.  How could it not be, when the best elements of Basement Jaxx, and early Depeche Mode come together to make a very current sounding record out of a genre that often sounds dated and staid.  By now you’ve probably heard the paean to monogamy that is the title track and the brilliant “Take It In”, both highly indicative of the album as a whole.

Whether or not the album has the legs and stamina to keep us listening for another 11 months remains to be seen, but at this early stage, One Life Stand has what it takes to be a committed life partner for music lovers for a long time to come.  Consider this an early warning to get yourself out to the record shops next Tuesday, February 9, to pick it up and take it all in.

Myspace: Hot Chip

The video for “One Night Stand” is directed by Roel Wouters:
Hot Chip – One Life Stand (MySpace Exclusive)

Hot Chip | MySpace Music Videos





by J. Di Gioia | 1 Comment »

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 11:30 am and is filed under QBiM SPiNS, ViDEO. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

One Response to “QBiM SPiNS: Hot Chip, One Life Stand”

Eduardo February 4th, 2010 at 12:20 am

I am one of those protective fans. I adore Coming on Strong & The Warning, and didn’t really like Made in the Dark as a whole. I think One Life Stand is getting quickly up there with their first two records. A big grower and growing to be outstanding.