Hot Rod Circuit
"Reality's Coming Through"
Vagrant Records 2004
Review by: Eric Drumm
Hot Rod Circuit never ceases to amaze me. They are hands down my favorite band, and their newest, "Reality's Coming Through" is no exception. The first track "Inhabit", in true Hot Rod first track style, lets you know that you are in for a ride. A great opening, which can be expected from them. Then we hit a sour note. The third track, "Fear the Sound starts off good. However, the first line of the song is "I got my hands around your neck and I'm sqeezing it tightly". What? Choking in a Hot Rod song. It gets worse from there. Aside from the lack luster guitar lead, there is the exclamation of "I fuckin' hate you!". come on guys, I know you youre better than that.

All is not lost. The following track, "Cheap Trick", is a dance party. Light hearted and fun, its a little more fun that we expect from Hot Rod, but i was grooving regardless. And there is a Moog during the signature solo, which is unusual for this band, but its a good change.

The next two tracks, "Failure" and "Tell The Truth", bring back the rock in a big way. This is classic Hot Rod. Its got the scorching guitar solos that we have come to know and love, and they will have you air guitaring around your room. The frantic pace and signature full bodied guitar song makes you know that you are listening to Hot Rod Circuit, and that aint
nothing wrong with that.

The other standout track is "The Best You Ever Knew". Intergrating organs and pedal steel, its got a country western feel to it, but its still manages to keep enough rocking guitar leads to keep it in check. SIngable, danceable, and downright fun. I particularly like the pedal steel. Casey Prestwood has used it on previous albums, but this is where it really shines.

Overall, its another great edition to the Hot Rod discography. Guitar solos remant of "If Its Cool With You..." and the sing alongs of "Sorry About Tomarrow", the new album makes me love Hot Rod just a little bit more.