Tuesday
Sep092008
A Week of Kix (and Friends) Hot Wire Classic Album Review
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 12:01AM 
Track list:
Hot Wire
Girl Money
Luv-a-Holic
Tear Down the Walls
Bump the La La
Rock and Roll Overdose
Cold Chills
Same Jane
Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar)
Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush
Every song on this disc is a chameleon, but stays true to Glam roots. The production is top notch - probably the best of all the Kix albums. I would say this is because the band had some money after Blow My Fuse - except they had such a horrible contract with Atlantic, I'm not sure this is the case. Also, Atlantic shoved them to some off-shoot division for Hot Wire anyway. Way to be supportive big record executives!
It's hard to pick a favorite song on Hot Wire so I won't limit myself to just one. I love the album's title track, "Tear Down the Walls," "Cold Chills," and "Same Jane."
"Tear Down the Walls" is better than "Don't Close Your Eyes" when it comes to a ballad. In fact, "Tear Down the Walls" might just be one of the best power ballads of the entire genre. Too bad the only people that know the song are the people who read Bring Back Glam! everyday.
"Cold Chills" has a 60s war protest - meets Rolling Stones vibe. The song is downright creepy and that is why it is unique. Yeah, "Cold Chills" is Glam, but with many layers. The lyrics are more complicated than traditional Kix - there's a story going on here, people. I'm listening to the song again while I write this review. I swear "Paint it Black" is going on under the Kix riff. I'm going to investigate the origins of this song, but I digress. By the way, you can also hear "Cold Chills" on the Wayne's World soundtrack.
Now, "Same Jane" rocks my world. I like the promo video for the track, too. While "Tear Down the Walls" and "Cold Chills" deviate a little from the Glam path, "Same Jane" steers the east coast boys right back on the big hair track. No over thinking here - just a fun rock song and a live standard.
The album's title track has that heavy introduction - a reason why the band usually plays this song first live. You've probably seen the video for "Hot Wire." The song is, after all, one of the band's most famous.
You know, there are days when I just wish I was better at anything. Remember kids, I play bass. I can barely play one chord on my husband's guitar, the old joke being that bass players are stupid because we only have (traditionally) four strings to manage. I'll admit picking up a six string guitar flusters me. Still, I sometimes have a random dream that I'll walk into my neighborhood Guitar Center, pick up an axe and play the beginning of "Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush" and walk out. Sure, that's irrational. Those people at Guitar Center make me feel inadequate! Anyway, this fantasy should tell you I hold "Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush" in high regard. The blues introduction is great and more advanced than I'll ever be able to master.
You can purchase Hot Wire here.
Here's the video for "Hot Wire:"
Here's "Same Jane:"
Here's "Tear Down the Walls" (and no, this isn't a video - just the song):
Reader Comments (8)
Thanks for the links, as usual.
they really "kix" ass..hehehe
For sure my favgorite Kix Album...and one of the best of all!!!and Same Jane is my favorite too!!!