Released: Jun 2, 2009
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Label: Suretone
Number Of Tracks: 12
Drop Dead, Gorgeous are not virtuosos of their instruments by any means they surely have made a step in that direction.
The Hot N' Heavy
Reviewed by:
hopespaul, on september 11, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Drop Dead Gorgeous came out with this one on June 2nd 2009, and it was a good time to release this. It sounds a lot more mature than their previous efforts, but still filled with youthful energy and lyrics. It was produced by Matt Goldman, same guy who did Under0ath, Copeland, and the Chariot, and it shows. Hot'n'Heavy is a good display of this style of music, whatever you might label it - screamo, metalcore, etc. Heavy guitar riffs with screaming vocals constantly juxtapose melodic drives and soft singing has become the epitome of the decade, and this one coming out right around the end doesn't show any death of the genre. This album is almost a darker alternative to Underoath. the guitar work can get a little boring with too many breakdown style fills in between real riffs. The most interesting riffs are reminiscent of Norma Jean/Underoath, such as the opening riffs on "Killing a Classic" or "Sue Simmons watch your mouth". if you get annoyed by breakdowns where they don't belong, save your ears from this one. However, most of them are resolved by almost genius driving choruses with great melodic overtones. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics can get a little confusing with cliche lines and screaming parts that cannot be ciphered without looking at the lyrics. Nonetheless, the lyrical content can become quite an accompaniment if listened to during proper times. However, attempts to listen to this album throughout might be spoiled by inconsistencies throughout. A hate song followed by a "tough guy" don't mix well, unless that's what you're going for. The singer's ability is a bit above average relative to what else is out there in the genre. a couple of humor bits are thrown in (or they might not be, it's up to you to decide), such as the singer attempting to simulate 50 cent's trademark 'G-G-G-G unit" (on Internet killed the video star) or 'red hair, stilletos, she smells like chanel, well i'm a sucker for nylon' (on "Fame"). his lyrical content is best taken with a grain of salt, even though some of it can bring up interesting thoughts. // 7
Impression: As i mentioned before, this is a heavier, more emotionally charged, alas more generic alternative to Underoath. If you're not sure this album is for you, listen to "Killing a Classic", "Internet Killed the Video Star", and "Two Birds one stone" in that order. My personal favorite is "Fame". What i love about this album is the range of different songs that can fit whatever mood I'm at the time. What I dislike about this effort from Drop Dead Gorgeous is what is the plague in the music scene today - too many less than mediocre songs slapped on the cd that do not compete with the rest. // 9
The Hot N' Heavy
Reviewed by:
Eleison, on july 20, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: When it comes to the sound of Drop Dead Gorgeous, they've always been one of a kind. In my opinion the sound of this album is more a reflection of their first two albums which, in my belief, is a much better direction.
The style of the guitars are much more similar to their second album, In Vogue, but with a kind of maturity to it. Much more breakdowns but at the same time lead sounds as well. without a doubt the guitars only continue to impress.
the drums are in most ways the same with no complants here of course. Daniel has always been able to show his worth and this album was no different. As for the vocals. I have to admit they are much better then what was displayed on Worse Than A Fairy Tale. I greatly enjoy the fact that Still decided to incorperate more screams in this album. As to the singing, it's without a doubt improved. I believe it was the nonstop singing and worse, Stills singing in styles ment for screams that blew it for their Worse than A Fairy Tale. Now I don't belive his scream are any where near as good as they were in Be Mine, Valentine, and In Vogue but still great for the most part. All in all I love the album, I love the band. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: As I stated before I believe for the most part Stills is doing much better but his style of writting, I don't think I so much agree with the words he decided to use. Some of it seems a bit to "obvious". He had no metaphors no meaning behind the words. As for the ways he sings and screams are increasinly catchy. I find myself singing the words and having multiple songs and phrases stuck my head. Stills did a wonderful job in this department. // 8
Impression: In comparison to their first two albums I belive it not to be quite as good but still very much amazing. Some of the best songs on the album would have to be Killing a Classic, Southern Lovin, Sue Simmons! Watch Your Mouth, The Internet Killed The Video Star, Can't Fight Biology.
If this album were ever lost or stolen i would most definetly buy another. Its very much worth it. // 9
The Hot N' Heavy
Reviewed by:
kdcisgod, on june 12, 2009 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Drop Dead, Gorgeous are back in 2009 with the follow-up to their latest album, a haunting concept album titled Worse Than A Fairy Tale. Many fans were displeased by Worse Than A Fairy Tale, claiming that it wasn't "really" Drop Dead, Gorgeous. These fans were mostly angry because not every riff was a blatant breakdown and/or 2-step worthy riff. Little did they know they actually were, the heaviness was masked by Danny Stills new style of vocals. That same, more singing, style is present in The Hot N' Heavy. The guitars sound pretty much the same as far as tone, but I have noticed more layered, technical playing from Kyle and Dan. Like most metalcore albums, the bass only serves its purpose when necessary and other than that is mostly inaudible. The drums are that same Drop Dead, Gorgeous hectic style. Perhaps one of my favorite things about the album, however, is Duck's keyboard playing. There's one lick he does that will blow you away and make you realize this kid is the real deal. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Danny Stills. People loved Be Mine, Valentine and In Vogue because of the sheer brutality of Stills' scream. Worse Than A Fairy Tale caught a lot of crap for being very singing oriented, fans would complain with things like "stop trying to be like Chiodos." Anyone who paid attention would know that Danny Stills was not trying to be Craig Owens. Even though the vocal style was not a fan favorite, it remains the same on this album. Stills' singing, however, is now better than ever. He hits notes higher and more clean than he has in the past. The quality of the voice has tremendously improved, and his screams sound like how they did on the early albums only they aren't plagued with distortion this time. I give this section an 8 out of 10, only because the lyrics are not very strong. While Still' tells us that the lyrics are from real-life experience (not a concept album this time) some of them are kind of cheesy. (A breakdown where he screams "you f--ked with the wrong son of a bitch," or the chorus of "if I ever see you again and this gun is loaded, you'll sleep in hell." You'll have to listen to the album yourself for more specifics. // 8
Impression: Although Drop Dead, Gorgeous are not virtuosos of their instruments by any means they surely have made a step in that direction. (No, I'm not saying their next album will sound like Steve Vai, but they have lead parts in their songs now for Christ's sake!)
Some of my favorite songs off the album would be Beat the Devil Out of It; Sue Simmons! Watch Your Mouth; Fame; and Can't Fight Biology. What I love about the album is the improved vocal style, the improved guitar playing and riff writing, and most of all Duck's keyboard playing. I wonder what band he's in now, they must be ecstatic to have him with them.
One of the only things I hate about the album are the sometimes cheesy lyrics. For me, being more a musician than vocalist, I don't care as much about the lyrical content as I do about the melodies created by the vocal chords so I'm not too hurt by this at all.
If it were stolen or lost, I would buy it again only because I've been a fan of these guys since the beginning and I believe this is their farthest progression. People say it sounds more like their first albums (very heavy almost all the time) but Worse Than A Fairy Tale's influence is definitely unmasked. Being a fan of all their album, I was quite pleased with this one. // 9
This is a really good album, I didn't feel like Worse Than A Fairy Talele's singing was any less DDG as In Vogue. This is one of the few bands who haven't let me down yet.
I always dig the guitar in these bands but i hate the vox
I am thoroughly glad to hear that there is more musicality on this record though than their past releases
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Decent review!