Hot Hot Heat's latest only lukewarm

Make Up the Breakdown is about as unmemorable as a catchy pop-rock album can be. Sort of like the first cigarette after you've quit smoking: refreshing at first, but after it's over you're still poisoning yourself. While Hot Hot Heat is making a bit of a break from the mainstream slag that's big right now, the move follows the White Stripes, Hives, return of guitar rock, etc. It's great for now, but forgettable in about a year. That said, Breakdown is a good listen in passing. Heat (hailing from Vancover) seems well-versed on how to create catchy pop tunes. These 10 tracks have hooks with sticking power, driven by a consistent medium/fast tempo, Steve Bays' slightly quirky vocals and just enough keyboards to seem alternative. \nThe lyrics, though without weight, are sometimes clever, and the band even includes a verse about a polyester suit in "Get in or Get Out." "Bandages" also includes the best use of harmonics that I've heard in a while, with a nice time change in the middle of the song. Breakdown is good for putting on the stereo and dancing around to momentarily, but it's not pushing any boundaries.