Off the Record: Sahara Hotnights

Watch Sahara Hotnights do an acoustic session for Finnish live music video site Off the Record: http://offtherecord.fi/sahara-hotnights/

Casablanca confirm album, new single

Casablanca, the new Swedish supergroup featuring members from Sahara Hotnights and Melody Club, have confirmed that their debut full-length "Apocalyptic youth" will be out on March 16, 2012 with the new single "Love and desperation" preceding it on January 20.

Sahara Hotnights - s/t
(Universal)

I suspect I'm not the only one who reviews all-girl rock bands with a higher-than-usual bout of optimism, a utopian belief that one day chicks can tip the profane masculine iceberg known as R'N'R -- but who also, when duly disappointed, applies as swift and sharp double-edged Kenzo sword. As a disclaimer, I'd like to say I began listening to this record in a key of "10". Anyone who's been privy to modern chick bands -- yes, 80% of which I believe royally suck -- still, without a doubt know the two stalwarts from the 2000s onwards are: The Donnas and the band under review, Sahara Hotnights. This year they've come out with their 6th, "self-titled" album, after having released only covers in 2009. My quip with these two bands is, however talented or resilient they've been, is that they've wavered musically by dabbling in too many styles, trying on various genres like prom dresses. The Donnas went from their days as safety-pin wearin' punks to Sheryl Crow wannabes, to now- a glossy, cock-rock, hair-metal image. WTF? While Sahara Hotnights haven't undergone nearly as drastic an image change, blanket marketing of their hits as "garage punk" vs. "80's radio pop" often left me in wonderment. But their super cool stage candour and Maria Andersson's powerful voice tended to make them the favourite of the pair.

This album certainly proves they cohere as a band, if not in a slightly more grown-up way. They can croon with the age-wisdom of blues devotees and chant joyfully like teenagers at a rally. Yet, as a complete entity, this album blows. Maybe I come with too high of expectations... but so much feels wrong. The song order, the monotonous lyrics, the flow and surprisingly, the lack of self-realization where their strengths lie. Then again, maybe I'm over-intellectualizing it and should retreat as a goofy geezer whose pants wet at any band sounding remotely like The Shangri-Las or Huggy Bear.

Naw.

I mean, if SH wrote an album of songs as meaty and compact as "781", track seven, I wouldn't be complaining. Sure, it sounds like a throwback, but we've already discussed how these ladies have been successfully doing just that the last decade. It's straight, ballsy and to the fuckin' point and that's exactly what I want to hear.

Sometimes I feel talking about girls in rock is like talking about reverse discrimination in the workplace. To compensate for the lack of badly needed estrogen, some subconsciously devalue what would be harsh standards applied to the same music performed by dudes. Sahara Hotnights have all the potential in the world to change how we see music, and they undoubtedly know how to rock, but their latest [and last, so it seems -Ed.] shows the iconic album we dream for, still remains en route.
- Ann Sung-an Lee

Sahara Hotnights fall tour to be their last?

Sahara Hotnights will be taking an extended break after the conclusion of their fall tour. 'Tis a shame I think since their latest record is pretty great.

Sahara Hotnights - Let you down

Sahara Hotnights have been sort of treading water with their last few records in the sense that they've all left me feeling little more than indifference, but their new self-titled release is a triumph. It's just so refreshing to hear a confident and mature rock record, something of a rarity nowadays. Also, as someone who used to bemoan the lack of youthful vigor so present in their early career, it's a pleasure to hear them move beyond. Inspiring even. Many bands don't make it past those awkward teenage years and, if they do, rarely do they come out on the other side with such grace. Kudos!

MP3: Sahara Hotnights - Let you down

Sahara Hotnights album preview

Preview Sahara Hotnights' upcoming self-titled album, due out May 25. Direct link: http://youtu.be/8C15cYhv46g

PSL vs Sahara Hotnights

Part 1 of PSL interviewing Sahara Hotnights and previewing a few tunes off their upcoming album: http://psl.svt.se/psl/2011/04/01/lite-varldspremiar-sahara-hotnights-nya-ohs-vart-forsta-feta-rockriff-del-1/

Sahara Hotnights - Oh's (teaser)

A quick teaser of the new Sahara Hotnights single "Oh's", produced by Jari Haapalainen (The Bear Quartet, Laakso, etc.).

New music on the way from Sahara Hotnights

Sahara Hotnights will be releasing a new single called "Oh's" at the end of the month with a new self-titled album to follow in late May, their sixth album overall.

Melody Club + Sahara Hotnights = Casablanca

#1 Hits from an Another Planet on Casablanca, the new Swedish pop supergroup featuring members from Melody Club and Sahara Hotnights: http://alienhits.blogspot.com/2010/01/casablanca-downtown.html