the red hot valentines

summer fling

'Oh to be a teenager again, when nothing but energy, catch hooks, and the occasional Moog mattered.

If that was the plan, the Red Hot Valentines have got it down pat. This is music to dance to. It's music to put on a mix tape for the girl you like that isn't quite into "that scene." You can win her over and get her to like "that scene" with any of the songs from "Summer Fling." It's "4 Minute Mile" for a slightly younger generation.

It may be just the similarity in names, but this band sounds a lot like a dumbed-down version of Charlie Brown Gets a Valentine and a less obvious version of early Anniversary. The songs are not as intricate and the maturity is not there like it is with CBGAV but both bands are equally addictive. Once you hear "Summer Fling" the reference to the Anniversary is obvious. Then again, a lot of bands that use similar keyboard and synthesizer effects can easily be lumped together.

The Red Hot Valentines suffer from a 24-hour catchy writing disease. The songs will get stuck in your head but only temporarily. Unlike many other catchy bands they lack the permanent ability to infect you. It's a typical sophomore effort. In a few years, these guys will learn how to do what they really want to do.

The only word of warning is to skip "I Want To," one of the album's middle tracks. Plain and simple, it's crap. Slow, acoustic, poorly written, and might as well be the new Staind single.

All standard contradicting terminology applies, depending upon perspective: poppy, punk, catchy, edgy, typical, atypical, rough, smooth, awful, awesome, and so on.

Don't expect total enlightenment from this record. Just look for a good time and you'll be satisfied.