6 songs by this 5 piece college band from Illinois. This CD clocks in at an even twenty minutes, which averages each song to be about 3:20. This is pop-punk mixed in with a synth, creating a sound not unlike that of JFT and older style Green Day. Jason, The Red Hot Valentine�s synth player, is the true master of the band as he adds a very common instrument to a very common band to make something truly innovative. The rest of the band would be great on their own, but the use of the synth enables them to be remembered a hell of a lot easier. �There Is No Plan B� has some of the finest guitar tracks that I�ve heard in the beginning of the track, which quickly degenerate into standard three chord fare. Also present on this fine track are the bass stylings of David, who is playing in a limited quality during �Everything�s Fine� Whoever is singing lead vocals, especially during �Firecracker� has a golden set of vocal cords, as he is recognized as one of the many integral parts of the Red Hot Valentines. �Firecracker� also marks the return of Jason, who along with good vocal and guitar arrangements, tie this track together in a most satisfactory way. �My Girlfriend Has A Boyfriend� changes the style that one is used to from the Red Hot Valentines, but it definitely staves off the impending staleness inherent in all music. The recording on this CD is simply fantastic, as it definitely sounds professional but maintains the Indie cred with a home-printed CD liner and marked on CDR. During �My Girlfriend Has A Boyfriend, David really can be said to have his hands full, as the bass lines laid down on this track have some of the most complex arrangements that I�ve ever heard. �One Last Dance� is a fine song with the synths, chunky guitars, and bass all plodding through the track. Look for the Red Hot Valentines� innovative style of electronic pop/punk to be all the rage in the next few years, as it is a natural progression from the super popular styles of punk that are around right now. �Qik-N-Ez Girl� is an excellent ending to the CD since it most perfectly portrays the style of music that the Red Hot Valentines play, and it contains an odd style of Scat, with a backing chorus of �Do Do Do Do� and the synth blazing away furiously in the back as well. Get In touch with them at [email protected], http://www.amath.org/~valentines or the Red Hot Valentines, c/o David Gerken, 123 � S Kickapoo, Lincoln, IL 62656
