The newest offering from the Brooklyn-based rock outfit Hotline TNT is a throwback to the buzzy grunge era of 90s indie/alt heyday; however, things never stagnate as they sprinkle in exciting accents and pop-like appeal to keep the ear engaged throughout the dynamite Raspberry Moon.
For the first time in Hotline TNT’s history, lead singer/founder and main man Will Anderson decided to write and record with his touring band, guitarist Lucky Hunter, bassist Haylen Trammel, and drummer Mike Ralston. After a few stop/starts while in the studio with producer Amos Pitsch, things clicked gloriously.
Two tracks broke through the band’s malaise and convinced the collective they were on the right path. The first, “Scene”, features layers of guitars and arena-ready drums, with the whole twinkling rock effort evoking a strong Smashing Pumpkins influence. Meanwhile, “Break Right” feels like cruising around a midwestern town on a spring night, thanks to chill keys and hypnotic, ringing guitars that recall Silversun Pickups’ heyday.
Producer Pitsch plays a crucial role (and is credited as a fifth member), contributing harmonies, vibraphone, percussion, and keys, ensuring that things never seem routine. Guest Tim Anderson plays a unique flute on the noisy yet sweet jangle pop opener, “Was I Wrong?”, and the acoustic strummed yet gloriously swelling towards the heavens, “Lawnmower”. These small touches and layers of interwoven sounds (especially the enchanting guitars) keep rewarding with each spin of Raspberry Moon.
Perhaps the most polished of the bunch is also the best, as “Julia’s War” is custom-made for big arenas, as the harmonies and da-da-da sing-along soars skyward around screeching electric guitars and head-bobbing drumming. Those drums lead the way on the new wave-inspired “If Time Flies” and provide a strong foundation for the distorted guitars and harmonies of the yearning love song (in fuzzed fashion) “Candle”, both top-notch.
The group closes out big as well with “Where U Been?” which starts slow and builds into a shoegaze soundscape that floats around speakers wonderfully. Raspberry Moon on Third Man Records finds Hotline TNT unlocking buzzingly beautiful guitar rock that washes shimmering tones in all directions as the band seems to be truly coming into their own.
