Elevator
by Hot Hot Heat
  • Record Label: Sire
  • Release Date: Apr 5, 2005
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31

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  1. AshleyC
    May 6, 2005
    10
    Amazing Best Yet!
  2. jayc
    Apr 7, 2005
    7
    this album is pretty good. it's also pretty safe, and that's pretty disappointing. make up the breakdown is, to me at least, the album that started the craze that's been perpetuated and popularized by bands like franz ferdinand and the killers. the breakdown was more angular and jaunty. it had great percussion and daring, frantic time signatures. it was interesting. but it this album is pretty good. it's also pretty safe, and that's pretty disappointing. make up the breakdown is, to me at least, the album that started the craze that's been perpetuated and popularized by bands like franz ferdinand and the killers. the breakdown was more angular and jaunty. it had great percussion and daring, frantic time signatures. it was interesting. but it wasn't terribly accessible. steve bays' voice was too over the top for a lot of people. but to me, the times and the voice were the things that made make up the breakdown so great. enter elevator. a fine album to be sure. bays' voice is more polished. gone are the endearing yelps and hiccups. gone is the frenetic rhythm section. this is straightforward rock. more a mix of interpol and franz ferdinand than the logical extension of make up the breakdown. so in that sense, while interpol and franz ferdinand make very good records, this album is somewhat disappointing. but taken for what it is, it's a good record that fits nicely into this genre of jaunty 80s revival rock. not as good as interpol's work, but much better than the killers and on par with franz ferdinand.… Expand
  3. PamC
    Jul 17, 2005
    10
    i loved every single song on this cd and everything about the cd. i 've been listening to it four times a day everyday of the week for about a month now and i still havent grown sick of it. this is undeniably hot hot heat's best album!!
  4. AshlieW.
    Aug 3, 2007
    10
    Elevator is the latest album from the band Hot Hot Heat. With many fun beats, unique tracks, and beautiful vocals you're bound to fall in love with the album. The album art is very neat, and it's funny because there is no track 13, and the album is called Elevator. Anyways, it starts with a short intro then follows with a great track called, "Running Out of Time." Next comes Elevator is the latest album from the band Hot Hot Heat. With many fun beats, unique tracks, and beautiful vocals you're bound to fall in love with the album. The album art is very neat, and it's funny because there is no track 13, and the album is called Elevator. Anyways, it starts with a short intro then follows with a great track called, "Running Out of Time." Next comes their first single from the album called "Goodnight Goodnight." Then is a song with very witty lyrics called "Ladies and Gentleman," and then "You Owe Me an IOU" which seems to be a favorite of many fans. Then is a short instrumental song called "No Jokes, Facts" then "Jingle Jangle" which is a much slower song compared to all the others but very beautiful. The next two tracks are "Pickin it Up," and "Island of the Honest Man." Following that is "Middle of Nowhere" which is the second single and a song that attracted many people to the band Hot Hot Heat. Then another slower song called "Dirty Mouth," then a song who will touch anybody with a heart called "Soldier in a Box." Then comes a very fast, fun song that is one of my personal favorites called "Shame on You." The last song on the album is called "Elevator." The album is general is very unique and beautiful and is a great album to have while you're waiting for the release of the new, and very improved album Happiness Ltd.!… Expand
  5. Shelbyv
    Apr 20, 2005
    9
    I loooove this CD its a lotta FUN
  6. adams
    Apr 5, 2005
    10
    Up there with Franz Ferdinand and The Killers.
  7. Jao
    Apr 6, 2005
    7
    If you listened to and loved HHH's last album (Make Up the Breakdown) as much as I did, you can understand why I think this effort's a little bit disappointing. Still, better than alot of stuff out today.
  8. MikeM
    Apr 6, 2005
    8
    One may be asked about Hot Hot Heat and immediately reply to them as a band whose main and only objective is to create a song as catchy and witty as possible, but hell, what's wrong with that? Hot Hot Heat's debut in 2002, "Make Up The Breakdown" was critically acclaimed as it is an incredibly contagious album, but it seemed the flaw with that was that while a few songs were One may be asked about Hot Hot Heat and immediately reply to them as a band whose main and only objective is to create a song as catchy and witty as possible, but hell, what's wrong with that? Hot Hot Heat's debut in 2002, "Make Up The Breakdown" was critically acclaimed as it is an incredibly contagious album, but it seemed the flaw with that was that while a few songs were very fun and very radio-friendly, about half of the album seemed to be a bunch of filler songs. Their 2003 release, "Scenes One Through Thirteen" seemed to have the same problem, but in a worse effect. So, can Hot Hot Heat finally show their strength and release an album where all or almost every song is powerful, hooky, and brilliant? Ladies and gentleman, I'm proud to announce they have done so with their newest album, "Elevator." Could all 14 (well, technically 13) albums on this album have a feeling of content? Pretty darn close. There's probably a good chance you heard the songs `You Owe Me An IOU' or `Goodnight Goodnight' and with the strength of those two singles, Hot Hot Heat set high expectations for this album. No problem guys, high expectations aren't always bad, especially when they are filled. The album kicks off in typical fashion, with the first song being the Strokes-esque `Running Out Of Time.' The song appears to be in mediocre fashion, as the chorus is repetitive after time and the melody really does not change at all. Yeah, sure, this gives off an impression that it's the same old Hot Hot Heat with the same old attempts at catchy hooks, which seem they really succeed to do about half the time. It's great to know that this is one of the average songs on the album placed strangely as the first track. The next two songs, `Goodnight Goodnight' and `You Owe Me An IOU' are the two most easiest-listening songs on the album, and they are both most capable of becoming a big radio hit. `Goodnight Goodnight' is good, and will receive some noteworthy attention but it brings nothing completely new to the table, as its format is shockingly similar to the first song on the album. The shiner comes in through `You Owe Me An IOU' which clearly is one of the most catchiest songs I have heard all year. Even the enigmatic title seems to give away that this song will be one that you'll have stuck in your head all day. The vocals are perfectly done in this song, as the vocals seem to change every time the chorus approaches. Remarkable song. `No Jokes - Fact' is a random forty second blurb of what seems to be a mix of hotel piano music, with modern day synths in the background. It fits well after the rocking, head-bopping, `I Owe You An IOU.' The songs `Jingle Jangle', `Pickin' It Up', and `Island Of The Honest Man' suffer from what I like to call the mid-album blues. While the songs aren't completely bad, after two undeniable songs of great quality, there seems to be nothing jolting or exciting to offer here. Albeit this though, the three songs remain fun although they all seem in similar fashion. And here is where `Elevator' separates itself from the previous Hot Hot Heat albums. The last four tracks on this album are good enough to be placed anywhere. `Dirty Mouth' is seemingly simple, but provides clever lyrics with perfect vocals. As I've mentioned throughout this review, the vocals have been vastly improved from their previous releases. `Soldier In A Box' clearly begins the most unique starter of any song on the album, sounding as punk as Hot Hot Heat have ever sounded. Chanting along exactly with the guitar riff is what is going on here, and when the supposed chorus arrives, you would think its just another mediocre song, but oh no, the real chorus comes with the enigmatic riffs and joyous glee of "He's serenading to himself because nobody's there, he's celebrating to himself because nobody cares, he's serenading himself" and while it seems seemingly simple, it fits appropriately. Especially after piano effects that with the right tone could possibly sound straight from Echo & The Bunnymen's `Yo Yo Man.' This song is clearly a winner, and is one of the best on the album. `Shame On You' has a curious Mars Volta feel to it, and the instrumentals in the background are very catchy... wow, how many times have I said `catchy' in this review? Too many, but that's what this album can do to you it seems. Clever lines such as "Running with scissors wasn't smart, I tripped and cut open your heart," are excellent and sung at the right times. The chorus again, is done just as well as `Soldier In A Box' which makes you wonder to yourself why Hot Hot Heat were saving the best songs on the album for the end. How appropriately it is though, the last track on the album is the best song on the album. Well, it's also the best song I have heard yet this year. Sharing the same name as the album, `Elevator' is the last song on the album, and it is the best song Hot Hot Heat has ever released. This song will receive an incredibly amount of play on the radio if marketed correctly. This has to be Hot Hot Heat's next single, any decision otherwise would be foolish. Expect this to rank among any popular rock ballad that is popular in mainstream radio, except this song is actually be good! "Elevator" turns out to be Hot Hot Heat's best album of their career, while carrying their best song they ever released. Every single thing has seemed to improved on this band's resume, vocals, lyrics, guitar work... everything. This album is not to be missed, and do not be surprised at all if this album slips into the top ten best albums of the year, maybe even the top five. Extremely solid.… Expand
  9. giulia
    Apr 8, 2005
    7
    its 7,5. because there are some really nice songs (e.gh. "island of the honest man"), but sometimes it sounds a bit too nice, you know, with out edges. a bit like boring american rock pop music, this is sad. but i m looking forward to their show in may. i hope they will also play some songs of their last album.
  10. CoryR
    Apr 9, 2005
    8
    Outstanding. A fun and catchy album from start to finish. I wasn't looking for the reinvention of the wheel when I bought this album, I was looking for a great listen and some great songs. I got both. Pickin' it up and Ladies and Gentleman are the weakest songs, and hold the album back a bit in the beginning. But overall, a great cd.
  11. DB
    May 15, 2005
    7
    Fun and bouncy, but the formula gets a little grating in large doses. Limit yourself to 4-5 tracks at a time, and you'll be pogoing like you won the lottery.
  12. carlos
    May 16, 2005
    7
    love it
  13. ROSARIOP
    May 19, 2005
    10
    This is a great album.I love it! From the intro to elevator.Every single one of the song is great. Hot Hot Heat just keeps on making great music.
  14. MeganS
    Jul 25, 2006
    10
    Hot Hot Heat's album Elevator is incredible. It's packed with catchy songs that'll have you singing right along, including Running Out of Time, Goodnight Goodnight, You Owe Me an IOU, Pickin' It Up, Island of the Honest Man, Middle of Nowhere, Elevator... there is no bad song on this album! It's definently worth your money, and HHH's other music is surely Hot Hot Heat's album Elevator is incredible. It's packed with catchy songs that'll have you singing right along, including Running Out of Time, Goodnight Goodnight, You Owe Me an IOU, Pickin' It Up, Island of the Honest Man, Middle of Nowhere, Elevator... there is no bad song on this album! It's definently worth your money, and HHH's other music is surely worth checking out.… Expand
  15. seaghanm
    Oct 14, 2005
    10
    No fillers - this stuff is toe-tappin' finger-lickin' excellence. No pretence - a wave of catchy tunes carries right through to the end :)
  16. KimM
    Oct 19, 2005
    9
    I bought this CD the day it came out and I haven't stopped jamming to it YET. Hot Hot Heat makes music that just makes you feel good, it just makes you HAPPY! I also have Make Up the Breakdown and it too is an awesome CD. But to me, the tracks on Elevator just seem to have more substance, better lyrics. Practically every song is a hit, but some of the especially good ones-- "Island I bought this CD the day it came out and I haven't stopped jamming to it YET. Hot Hot Heat makes music that just makes you feel good, it just makes you HAPPY! I also have Make Up the Breakdown and it too is an awesome CD. But to me, the tracks on Elevator just seem to have more substance, better lyrics. Practically every song is a hit, but some of the especially good ones-- "Island of the Honest Man", "You Owe Me an IOU", "Soldier in a Box", and, of course, the title track "Elevator". Ah.. Hot Hot Heat.. my favorite.… Expand
  17. leahr
    Apr 21, 2005
    10
    this CD kicks major ass.
  18. erinn
    May 18, 2005
    10
    i ve loved them from the start and they still rock!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Urb
    70
    Solid... the album definitely hits its marks. [Apr 2005, p.102]
  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    Bays' voice can be cloying, but it's hard to imagine a more laid-back singer handling these ostentatious pop songs.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Hot Hot Heat have learned at least one valuable lesson from studying up on their pre-grunge history: the power of a tight, efficient song. [8 Apr 2005, p.62]
See all critic reviews »