Hot Chip - Made in the Dark

I first heard The Warning in early 2007 on a record store listening station. There was no hype around the band at the time and, when I put the headphones on, I had no pre-conceived notions regarding what I was about to hear. It was not very impressive. Their synthetic, quirky pop was fun, but not exciting and its simplicity prevented me from taking the album seriously. So, when I put my headphones on, prepared to listen to Hot Chip’s third release, Made in the Dark, knowing all the praise that their previous release had garnered, I definitely had pre-conceived notions about what I was going to hear. But, it is very impressive.

Hot Chip is still updating Kraftwerk on Made in the Dark, mixing simple, electro-beats with catchy pop hooks, but now, we find the band in a more mature state. “Out at the Pictures,” “Shake a Fist,” and “Ready for the Floor,” open the album and, upon first listen, we find a more lively, club-bumping sound, but one that remains as straightforward as The Warning. “Bendable Poseable” is a rocking, robotic track, one that offers a bit more kick. But, it is not until we hear the soft, almost ballad-like “We’re Looking for a Lot of Love,” that Hot Chip transforms into a serious band. When Alexis Taylor finishes up the chorus and a call-and-response vocal melody starts floating, we discover a human side to their music, which puts their upbeat dance tracks in a new light of sincerity. This is further affirmed by the album’s centerpiece, “Made in the Dark,” a slow-lilting jam that, similar to LCD Soundsystem’s “New York I Love You…” off of Sound of Silver, provides insight into the band. They make catchy synth-pop, but the fact that they are capable of balladry that can melt you is a sign that there is something to be taken seriously here. It’s like catching the class clown crying and understanding that his humor is just a shield to the true emotion that exists deep down. It’s quite touching.

The breakdown at the end of “Wrestlers,” seals the deal and when you play the album back again, the could-be club tracks will hit you harder and, in turn, the ballads will melt you further. When Taylor sings, “I am ready, I am ready for a fall,” in “Ready for the Floor,” we discover that he’s pouring his heart out, rather than just looking for a dance. It is a fantastic record, particularly the second time around……and third, fourth, fifth, etc.