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The Hot Lies - Ringing In The Sane

06.12.2007 | KYS-Cam | 5 Comments

• Artist.
• The Hot Lies

• Album.
• Ringing In The Sane

• Label.
• Liberation

• Year.
• 2007

• Genre.
• Rock/Pop/Pop Punk

• For Fans Of.
• The Used - Yellowcard – Stealing O'Neal

• Summary.
• Sorry, but I still don't get it...

• Website.
• http://www.myspace.com/thehotlies

• Total Rating.
• 76

• KYS Rating.
• 51

• User Rating.
• 100

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REVIEW.

I've given The Hot Lies every chance to redeem themselves in the lead up to reviewing “Ringing In The Sane”. I listened to the album numerous times, I watched video clips, I did my research and after all of that, my verdict is still the same... they're a good bunch of guys with some cools riffs and a big budget but (and that's a big but) the songs just aren't cutting it. 

As far as pop rock songs go, lead single “Emergency! Emergency!” has crossed all it's T's and dotted all the I's, but it still sounds like 50 other bands you could name. Lead guitarist Luke can clearly play but even his creative fret work can't take the song to the next level. “Burn For Me” opts for a melody driven approach but Pete Wood's vocals simply aren't strong enough to carry the tune. 

The intro riff to “Can't Stand The Heat” sounds pretty sleazy and is one of the few highlights I was able to find on the record but unfortunately The Hot Lies are once again let down by their almost simplistic approach to song writing.  

There's no denying that the guitars on “Tokyo” are catchy... hell, I'll admit that I enjoyed it,  but the vocals are just downright annoying and the performance footage in the video clip is so melodramatic that it's painful to watch. It comes as no surprise that “Tokyo” is in fact one of the tracks that was co-written by Eskimo Joe because the melodies sound pretty similar to something the Perth lads would churn out. 

The only word I could think of to describe “Sharks Swim Everywhere” is boring and “Poison Arrow” is more by the numbers pop rock, although the phrasing in the chorus is one of the more memorable hooks on the album.  

CONCLUSION.

I honestly enjoyed “Ringing In The Sane” more than I thought I would but overall the album is mediocre at best. Better luck next time guys.

TRACKLISTING.

1. Emergency! Emergency!
2. Burn For Me
3. Can't Stand The Heat
4. Tokyo
5. Sharks Swim Everywhere
6. Poison Arrow
7. For The Restless
8. Running Low
9. Diamond Eyes