Review of

HotChaCha. The World’s Hardest Working Telescope & the Violent Birth of Stars.

Exit Stencil Records.

I don’t often write about contemporary rock music. Much of it escapes me (I go more for jazz and folk music these days), and I miss a lot. When I search for comparisons the way all good music critics are supposed to, I am usually several generations removed from the inspirations that likely reflect those of the artists. But, we'll give it a try anyway.

I chose HotChaCha because I enjoy what they are doing. The band consists of four young women, Jovana Batkovic, vocalist, Mandy Aramouni, guitar and keyboards, Heather Gmucs, bass, and Lisa Paulovein, drums. They rock hard, with lots of energy, play what they’ve written effectively, and set a mood that seems right for them—romantic, forceful, edgy, with an air of tragedy. Based on their web site and bio, one could also include an element of deliberate eroticism, but of an adult rather than adolescent sort. I am especially impressed by Batkovic’s emotion-filled voice (she sings in more than one language, so the lyrics aren’t always obvious) and the fuzzy/clean guitar lines of Aramouni. It’s clear that they are informed by punk and post-punk sensibilities, but with an overlay that reminds me of the New Romantic movement of the early 1980s. I hear Chrissie Hynde, Siouxsie Sioux, garage rock extending back for decades, and a host of other predecessors who may or may not be important to them, but they are to me. There’s not a bad song among the eleven that they dish up, and the music holds up to repeated listening. Consistency like that is not so common. Put this one in the car and turn it up.