Three years after the fantastic album They Want My Soul, Texas fantastic four has dropped Hot Thoughts, the record witnessing their return to their first record label, almost twenty years after the debut Telephono. This is the ninth release by the band from Austin and it is equally good as its predecessors. Cutting guitar riffs, galloping rhythm of the drums, attractive bass lines and fervent vocal of Britt Daniel represent the magic formula that could turn any music into high quality art.
They Want My Soul is Spoon’s commercially most successful album yet, even though the band has played with electronic arrangements. Hot Thoughts continues in the same experimental manner, upgrading it with catchy melodies, glorious arrangements and attention to details. The production is well-thought of, thanks to Dave Fridmann, a guy who stands behind many cult albums by Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips.
The album is opened with direct rock approach, as the title track sets the tone for the whole record with its virtuoso rhythm section and exciting piano sound. WhisperI’lllistentohearit resembled Underworld, especially in the first part, which is a pretty strange comparison. Extraordinary track Do I Have To Talk You Into It shows how synths and percussions can create miracles, while Pink Up is under a total influence of electronic and robotic vocal. By now, it gets obvious how deep had the band dig into the electronic experimentation. Luckily, it does not come off as a bad thing.
Can I Sit Next To You is a funk-pop diamond with serious predispositions to become a potential hit of the year. They are no weak spots here. Following dance escapades, the record closes with an obscure jazz jam session in the shape of the song Us. Clearly, it is the one that doesn’t belong in the company of exuberant indie-pop themes.
Hot Thoughts is a record convenient for multiple plays, since each subsequent listen reveals new moments. The effects you may have missed the first time you have listened to the album become conspicuous the second time. I am pretty sure we are going to see this release at the top of the year-end charts.
