Customer Reviews

If I Knew What I Knew Then

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very few bands can produce music that you can listen to anytime. Beware, Hot Rod Circuit is not one of those bands. This would be a strike against them if their music didn't consistently alter mood with soul-forward power and conviction, carried from them to you on a wave of rockstar stamina that really has to be experienced live to be believed. I was fortunate enough to catch them live in New York on the Big Wheel Rec showcase. Their set was nothing short of a tribute to their name, giving a taut, energetic performance that left a well worked-over audience for lively Ivory Coast and Jimmy Eat World. Very few bands have a presence that translates to recordings. Hot Rod Circuit have spared nothing on "If I Knew Now What I Knew Then." This album is relentless, making reasonably brief trips into mellow territory. These guys know what they do best, and do not simply plop in a "slow song" to give an illusion of balance. Their balance is found in catchy, visceral guitar work and smart vocals, simple and well-formed harmonies that can be carried at their music's most fevered moments. The lyrics are clean, agile, without any half-baked attempts at poetry or wit, just expression as straightforward as their instrumental work. If you do not like rock at its loudest, avoid this album. This is material intended solely to get the blood flowing in the veins, and that is its only discernible weakness. It's not background music, and the entire album is a lot to take in one sitting. "Circuit" don't repeat themselves as much as they sustain one kind of listening experience throughout, and that experience can be long enough to outlast your mood. These flaws are minor, subjective and grounded more in the listener than the album. If you love the Get Up Kids, Reggie and the Full Effect, The Ivory Coast, etc. this is a must buy. Every song is worthy of repeated listening and is a near-direct translation of the band's stage presence. On a final note, certain venues and certain crowds can be initimidating. When you're the only hardcore fan of a band that isn't headlining, it can be a little lonely. No one in the crowd at the venue I attended really knew Hot Rod Circuit, including myself. This was in the Northeast (a far cry from the band's home in Alabama). One guy stood out. He was maybe 5'-5" wearing big glasses, a loud shirt, a little awkward, not the most chic-looking guy. He was singing every line with the band with a smile on his face for the whole 45 minute set, sweating and yelling amidst a crowd of kids doing the standing-still. A band that plays hard enough to make someone ignore what others think of him for awhile deserves at the very least a purchase from me. If want rock that makes you feel invincible, grab this disc right away. If you like things with a lot of variation and at a more subdued volume, think twice before buying.

From the outset of this album sounds like the soundtrack to every BMX video you've ever seen. The contrast between slow, melodic patterns and the harsher energy release of a classic angst ridden emo band is the perfect backdrop for this truly great album. Although this album reaches it's peak at the second track with the towering "Irish Car Bomb" every track is on it's own as a work of art. If you like the Promise Ring, The Get Up Kids, or in fact any emo band, this would be a valuable addition to your collection. Keep on riding kids.

I was lucky enough to catch these fellas play with the Get Up Kids in Atlanta, and they knocked me backwards. No matter what style of punk you might be into, you must check this out.

I had my first taste of Hot Rod Circuit with "The Pharmacist" from their newer "Sorry About Tommorow" album. When I listened to that album I was thinking, wow, this band sounds like Jimmy Eat World's new stuff or any other emopunk band. Then I listened to this album and was flat out amazed. What a difference in sound! The first thing that came to my mind was DIARY... Sunny Day Real Estate's amazing debut from 1994. This album has that same power and energy that Diary brought out in 94. Though, it's not quite on the same page, it's a definately good listen. Weak Warm is a great starter, and Irish Car Bomb is just as amazing as any song could be. Chemistry is one of my favs as well. I really liked this album. It's a change of pace from someone for listened to their new stuff first, and then this.

alright here it goes! this cd rules your face! everything about it is wonderful. and they are not emo i dont understand where you people get off saying that. ugghhh i hate that word. the guys in this band are way awesome and their music is equally as rad!

With the new, stale, wannabe alternarock sound of the Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, Promise Ring, this record at the time of the release, was a sign of the dying sound of 'good' emo. From beginning to end, 'If I Knew Now What I Knew Then' is reminiscent of the Archers 'Icky Mettle', and Get Up Kids 'Four Minute Mile' era.

I bought this album about 5 months ago after hearing their EP that my friend had from a show. I was supposed to see them live, but the car broke down, yada yada yada. Anyway, this album is great, even better than the EP. It's a shame that these guys don't get the recognition that the Get Up Kids and New Found Glory do, because this is as good as if not better than those respective bands. The singer doesn't have as whiny as a voice, and the music is a bit less bouncy. They are emo though, I guess, but they're not really punk or pop that much, but don't get this thinking that you're getting something along the lines of Rites of Spring or anything of that nature. This album is great though, even though the boys do seem to be a bit obsessed with octaves.

Listening to this as we speak (or read..whatever)... had the pleasure of seeing and meeting these guys a couple of days ago playing with the Get up Kids and Discount. Hot Rod Circuit ended up being the highlight of the show, even on that bill. I'd definitely reccomend picking this disk up.. the first two songs stay in my head constantly..

Rock n' roll/indie/punk straight out of c.t. buy this you wont regret it...even if you dont like it (which you will) you cant still say you have a song on c.d. called "achy breaky hockey hair"!

Rock n' roll/indie/punk straight out of c.t. buy this you wont regret it...even if you dont like it (which you will) you cant still say you have a song on c.d. called "achy breaky hockey hair"!