Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell

I would still opt for Jennie Bomb, Kiss & Tell is a good effort… a less cocky, less abrasive, and less memorable album but a good effort all the same.

I had been anxiously anticipating this album. Since Jennie Bomb I pledged my loyalty to Sahara Hotnights and all they represent. Maybe not all they represent but make mistake about it, I developed very strong feelings for these four women. By strong I do not mean sexual nor do I mean borderline obsessive. By strong I mean I really liked the music of Sahara Hotnights. I was thrilled when Kiss & Tell arrived in my mailbox, partly because I was excited for the album and partly because I received mail. I was so happy upon receiving the album that I had put one of the stickers that accompanied the disc on my door. Given that the only thing on my door was my name (courtesy of the R.A) and that even the walls in my room were completely bare, placing the sticker on my door really said something.

Now that I have walked you through my excitement for the album, let me walk you through my disappointment upon listening to the album: I was disappointed. That is really all there is to it.

I had hoped for a continuation of Jennie Bomb but what was on the disc was not on the same level as the Hotnights’s previous album. Mind you, I am not the type to insist that a band remain with one sound for the duration of their musical career. I understand, accept, and sometimes even hope for a new direction or a shift in sound for the sake of avoiding monotony. Perhaps it was because I felt that the Jennie Bomb sound was filling a void in the musical landscape of today, perhaps it was the uniqueness of the sound … whatever it was I wanted it back. Even as I was wrapped in disappointment, my heavy heart would not allow me to write the review while in that state. So I tried again more than four weeks later.

On the plane ride to India all but two weeks ago, I gave it another shot. This time I placed my earphones on without the high expectations I had once had for the disc. Maybe it was the self-inflicted hype or the memory of my disappointment but I managed to listen to the entire album unscathed and with some good memories. This time around I was able to indulge in the candy sweet melodies of Kiss & Tell. After accepting that this album did not carry on in Jennie Bomb tradition I found that I rather liked (to an extent) the 80s influenced light heartedness, singing, and big poppy sound.

Maria Anderson shows a greater depth on this album in terms of vocals and proves that she does have a lovely voice that can sound as brash or catchy as needed. “Stay/Stay Away” and “The Difference Between Love and Hell” especially hold that 80s feel with the synthesizers and poppy chorus and back-up vocals. Within all the singing and melodic play, the Hotnights remind us that they still have it in them to play great and fast licks. The guitar riffs in “Walk On the Wire” and “Nerves” are indicative of this. I found the vocals, not including the chorus, in “Walk On the Wire” to be noteworthy. The Television influenced licks of “Hangin’” are pleasant. Although I would still opt for Jennie Bomb, Kiss & Tell is a good effort… a less cocky, less abrasive, and less memorable album but a good effort all the same.

(RCA Records)