Hot

Squirrel Nut Zippers' second album, Hot, was one of the most surprising success stories of 1997. Like the group's debut, The Inevitable, Hot is comprised entirely of good-natured, if slightly tongue-in-cheek, postmodern big-band music. The band has nailed the sound of jump blues and swinging jazz, and if the Zippers don't have the chops of real big bands, they do have enthusiasm and a sense of humor. Of course, for purists of the genre, that collegiate sense of humor might make Hot a little unbearable, especially those instances when Katharine Whalen sounds uncannily like Billie Holiday, only without the substance. For those willing to overlook such things, they'll find Hot to be a good time, filled with songs nearly as infectious as the group's breakthrough hit, "Hell." Tracklisting 01 - Got My Own Thing Now 02 - Put A Lid On It 03 - Memphis Exorcism 04 - Twilight 05 - It Ain't You 06 - Prince Nez 07 - Hell 08 - Meant To Be 09 - Bad Businessman 10 - Flight Of The Passing Fancy 11 - Blue Angel 12 - The Interlocutor