Hotspur - You Should Know Better By Now
Record Label: Say-10
Release Date: September 9, 2008
Everyone feels a bond towards their local bands. There's more of a bond felt with bands from your city, and even more so when they go to the school in your grandmother's backyard. However, Hotspur show they have an exceptional amount of talent. From playing charity shows at a local high school, to headlining shows at the 9:30 Club, Hotspur's unique style has won over the entire area.
One track into the album, you can see how Hotspur is different from other bands. The unique vocals, witty lyrics, and extreme passion in the vocals are strengths. You can hear the paranoid feelings in the final verse of "Hypochondria" as they sing "Everybody's following me." The lyrical strength first shows up in the entirely metaphorical first verse of "Chandelier." Hotspur also show they can take things down a notch on "Too Young" by creating a song meant to wave open cell phones while giving off a message that every young person should understand. "$$$" may have some of the most cliche lyrics on the album, but it is also one of the catchiest.
Soon, you hear the soft piano strikes of "Heads/Tails." This song is a masterpiece. The lyrics of the chorus are absolutely brilliant. The song keeps a catchy drum beat while still having the emotional support of the piano. The piano bridge leading to the electric final chorus and the final piano fade out may be best moment on the album. "Heads/Tails" is the new single off the album, and with the right promotions, this song could be a Top 40 hit.
Hotspur continues the strong middle of the album with "Gunfight." The beginning of the song is a little too repetitive, but the chorus is the best flowing and one of the catchiest on the album. "Sold!" is a fun, upbeat song that will make you just want to dance. "Alphabetic File" is another lyrical strong point, which showcases more vocal range than any other song. "You Should Know Better By Now" is a perfect upbeat album closer that will leave a listener dashing to press the album repeat button. I definitely did.
Hotspur is on the brink of bursting out huge. Their first video got plenty of MTV airplay, and their second video is sure to exceed it in airplay. They put on a hell of a show that everyone should see. Anyone from a 12-year-old girl to her grandmother can like parts of this album. Montgomery County, Maryland, will soon have its biggest band since O.A.R.
Great review. Top five albums of last year, IMO.
Love it all the way through, though I much prefer the acoustic piano version of Heads/Tails.
They're really underrated by everyone except locals. For some reason, locals are OBSESSED with them. But, their album is something even AP.net would enjoy.
They're really underrated by everyone except locals. For some reason, locals are OBSESSED with them. But, their album is something even AP.net would enjoy.
I know, and that disappoints me. I live all the way on the West coast and in Canada, so the chances of me seeing them live anytime soon is pretty much zero.
Should be massive after releasing this album, it's unfortunate to see so many people unaware of them still.
I know, and that disappoints me. I live all the way on the West coast and in Canada, so the chances of me seeing them live anytime soon is pretty much zero.
Should be massive after releasing this album, it's unfortunate to see so many people unaware of them still.
Exactly.
They're getting on MTV, and everything.
Once they get signed they'll blow up.
Although I can't think of where they would belong.
I know, they get the recognition of an unsigned band. But once they start getting more press hopefully a bigger label will take notice and sign them because they are set for the big times.
I know, they get the recognition of an unsigned band. But once they start getting more press hopefully a bigger label will take notice and sign them because they are set for the big times.
Where would they belong?
Are they major label material?
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