The Hot Snakes debut release, Automatic Midnight, is exactly what you would expect from the members of Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From the Crypt, and the Delta 72. Since there are few bands that have affected me as much as Drive Like Jehu, I was ecstatic when I heard that Rick and John were getting back together to record and play again. I was, and still am, amazed by the way Jehu were able to combine chaos, complexity, power, and intensity while still having a sturdy grounding and without coming across as masturbatory showoffs.
Though none of the songs on Automatic Midnight are as intense or chaotic as Drive Like Jehu, it is great to hear Rick sing and scream again. After repeated listening, I think that the majority of the songs are closer to Pitchfork (Rick and John's pre-Jehu band) than Jehu. The bass guitar, drums, and the occasional use of keyboard lay a good thick base for the songs, but instead of Jehu's traditional seemingly out of control dueling guitars, the Hot Snakes have sadly opted for one main driving guitar rhythm.
Even though the album is more straight forward than I hoped, songs like "If Credit's What Matters I'll Take Credit" and "Let it Come" deliver amazingly intense guitar attacks. Other songs like "Our Work Fills the Pews" and "Mystery Boy," which both feature John on vocals, will certainly please fans of Rocket From the Crypt, but to me they are just another reason to put Drive Like Jehu's Yank Crime in the cd player and leave Automatic Midnight on the shelf.
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