The album boasts an unbeatable richness in terms of instrumental and recording technique. And, this is only their debut, believe it or not. If Jet had some balls they'd still be unfit to sweep the stage after Hot Hot Heat's stage.

It would be easy to compare them to other retro-punk garage bands to have cruised their way across the Atlantic to out radio station, but don't It wouldn't be right. This compelling quartet stand on their own. They've licked the cream off the musical rim witht he sounds of the New York 70's, British 80's and combined it with cowbell solos and skin-tight hopsters with legs akimbo. Rather than re-construct rock and roll greats like so many other bands have tried and actually succeeded, Hot Hot Heat grab their influences, show them in a magi-mix, bake it in the oven and devour the outcome. All this combined with Steve Bayes vocals (think Robert Smith on prozac) created one of theose albums that can cheer tou up and make you dance on Monday morning.

Although I love The Strokes and The Yeah Yeah Yeah's they will never be this happy. 'Make Up the Breakdown' is an optimistic title and it sums itself up really. This album should be handed out with the anti-depressandts to all the jaded indie kids who've forgotten how to dance.

Christina McConnell