Excerpt: “In line with their minimalist image and outlook, Hotels may appear to be covering similar ground to the likes of Interpol, Joy Division and Kraftwerk. It is true enough that they share a similar favouritism for echoed production, intense melancholia and primtive keyboards but they have other attributes too, such as a sense of fun and playfulness which belies the outwardly bleak appearance. Indeed, opener ‘Atlantic’ – itself a cracking Interpol-esque tune – only tells half the story. The instrumental tracks ‘Farewell To Love’ and ‘Cinemascope’ are madcap and quirky like the early work of The Monochrome Set whilst ‘Necropolis’ harks back to the even quirkier Devo. Even more impressively, ‘J.T.’ stands out as a gloriously elegant piece of work but even this is surpassed by the awesome ‘Many Happy Returns’ where the insouciant vocals are balanced out by an increasingly intense rhythm section and an enrapturing haunting melody. More than just another group hitching a ride on the shirt-and-tie bandwagon, the music of Hotels is both bewitching and original enough to silence any would-be doubters.”
Leonard’s Lair