Artist: The Hot Puppies
Title: The Word On The Street
Label: THP
Genre: Indie
Bitrate: 164kbit av.
Time: 00:09:39
Size: 12.02 mb
Rip Date: 2009-02-21
Str Date: 2009-03-09
1. The Word On The Street (Hemme Fatale Remix) 2:51
2. The Word On The Street (Original Version) 3:28
3. The End 3:20
Release Notes:
What with all the interminable delays leading to the release
of The Hot Puppies' superb sophomore album, 'Blue Hands,'
(from which this single is lifted) it seems as though 'The
Word On The Street,' has been around for ages. It has in fact
been a mainstay in the band's live performances for the past
eighteen months or so.
The album version is of course on this three-track single, and
highlights all you would expect from this unique sounding
Welsh five-piece. Crystal clear and sweetly delivered vocals
from Bec are harmonised superbly by keyboard playing Beth
Gibson while the rhythm section of Bert and Ben plough a deep
trench of pounding beats to allow the fuzzy guitar of main
songwriter Luke to flower and flourish. Add some sparingly
used handclaps, a kiddies-sounding xylophone and what sounds
like a recorder (but is probably something far more
interesting) and there you have it - a highly danceable,
interesting and hook-laden song that deserves far more
recognition than it is likely to receive from the force-fed,
music-buying public. Hey-ho!
Also included on the single is the even more danceable remix
by Hemme Fatale, the pseudonym used by guitarist Luke. There
is a bit of a Seventies disco vibe with a more prominent bass
line, metronomic handclaps and good application of the Chic -
or was it Shalamar - sounding single-stroke, echoed blast from
a string section. (You really need to listen to it........!)
If none of the above appeals - or even makes sense - then you
should really search out and buy this single for the third and
final track alone. 'The End,' is The Hot Puppies' cover of The
Doors classic. At least, it's an adaptation of the final five
minutes of the epic. (The original version is probably now
best known as the overlay to the opening scenes from the film
Apocalypse Now.)
What makes this particular interpretation so special is that
someone as petite and demure-looking like Bec can deliver the
vocals in such a chilling and thrilling manner. The sheer
versatility of her voice is showcased as the song passes
through a brief disco-based interlude into a psychedelic
frenzy of swirls and manic drums towards the crashing climax.