Band To Watch: The Hot Melts

Having been making the rounds on the tedious circuit of self promotion for the past couple of years, The Hot Melts are finally starting to gain the recognition they deserve. Having supported Eagles of Death Metal on tour and headlining the Liverpool Carling Academy two years ago when they were still unsigned, it seems slightly incomprehensible that they remain relatively unheard of.

Comprised of four Liverpudlian lads, the band attacks the pop-rock genre with an unabashed vigour and energy that makes them instantly appealable. 'Edith' begins with a frenzied and imperious guitar riff and drum sequence that will have you tapping along within the first three seconds, whilst '(I Wish I'd Never) Been In Love' rushes by in such an angst-filled flurry you might as well be in lead singer and songwriter Will Baylis's stream of emotional consciousness. With the majority of their songs clocking in at under the three minute mark, it's evident that The Hot Melts mean serious business and aren't going to try and flaunt their musical skills by throwing pretentiously drawn-out solos at listeners. The pace they manage to keep up as they storm through the songs with an impassioned power almost feels as if their album is moving at a speed faster than you can listen and the whole thing is over before you know it. This is far from a hinderance however, as you automatically want to press play and listen again in case you missed something the last time.

The frantic wave of guitar you find yourself swept away in is somewhat hindered however, by their rather dubious lyrics. 'Edith' starts off blazing and continues to progress until it hits the second verse, during which Baylis starts singing about having left the chicken in the oven too long and going hungry as a result. I'm sorry, what? For a set of lads who are evidently trying to create a credible name for themselves in amongst the music crowd, starting off singing about the wonders of pot in the first verse was probably a good way to go. Yet by switching to the pains of domesticity straight after they might as well have not bothered with the drugs at all.

However, they undeniably have great potential. Ignoring some of the crap lyrics, they are musically one of the most thrilling British bands to emerge this year, and important industry types can't get enough. It's only a matter of time until you find yourself being scorched by them too.

www.thehotmelts.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thehotmelts