Sometimes all you need is a simple hard rock riff and a chorus telling you not to fear the reaper, before a solo kicks in—and that’s exactly what The Hot One Two provide. In fact, that’s literally what “The Reaper,” the lead track on “Virtues,” does.
Nick Manners’ guitar work is top notch throughout, but “Alive Again” gets bonus points for opening with a solo. The rest of the track shows the band’s knack for melody, something that permeates the whole record.
And if reviewing albums always makes you reach for words you’d never normally use, then you tell me: how better to describe “Blow Your Mind” than with the word “swagger”? Nick Blackburn’s bass locks it down, making it a real highlight.
There’s a contentment about this band—like they’re just four lads from Cambridge playing the music they love. That vibe runs right through “Let The Good Times Roll.”
The Hot One Two are one of those bands with the mindset of arena rockers. “Saint Restraint” has a hook so big it’d grab your winter coat without breaking stride, and you just know it was written with their live shows in mind.
“Grindstone” is proudly working class—an anthem for the grafters. And you wouldn’t bet against these boys working their way right to the top either.
Plenty here is built to get fists in the air. “The Edge” was made for it. Even when they slow things down, like on “Distant Love Affair,” it’s marked by a class you don’t always get. That track also gives Simon West room to shine on vocals, his versatility really cutting through.
It would have been a shame if the album didn’t end on something upbeat—and it does. “For You” has that extra spark this record always seems to find when it needs to, not to mention a guitar solo that sounds absolutely filthy.
A one-two, and I’m speaking as a football fan who follows his team through thin and thinner, doesn’t always come off. It requires synchronicity between moving parts that’s often elusive.
Not here.
Indeed, the very last line on the album is “did you enjoy the show?” Let’s keep the answer simple: yes. I can’t extol the virtue of “Virtues” enough.
Rating: 9/10
