Dot Hacker
Dot Hacker


4.0
excellent

Review

by tommygun USER (14 Reviews)
February 29th, 2012 | 22 replies


Release Date: 2012 | Tracklist

Review Summary: watch this space

It was back in 2008 when the multi-talented Josh Klinghoffer started playing with Clint Walsh (keys/rhythm guitar) and Eric Gardner (drums) as the live backing band for Cee-Lo Green in Gnarls Barkley. The group started jamming and writing songs together while touring, recruiting bassist Jonathan Hischke from support act Broken Bells to complete the lineup that is Dot Hacker. After a handful of impressive live shows, their plans were put on the backburner when Klinghoffer (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting) joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009. Not, however, before they had recorded an entire album’s worth of material. After collecting dust for three long years, the band’s debut EP is now upon us. I dare say it’s been worth the wait.

Dot Hacker waste no time drawing you into their world, a hazy place cloaked in a swirling atmosphere of effects-laden guitar and keyboards, powerful drumming, and the key ingredient: Klinghoffer’s sublime, somewhat androgynous singing voice. Leadoff track ‘Inhibition’ sees the boys lay down a plodding beat as a foundation, gradually building layer upon layer of interweaving guitars and synths before Klinghoffer unleashes a triumphant climax of multi-layered guitars and soaring vocals. The listener is given a few seconds to recover as the song crackles and fizzes to its end before being smacked in the face with the distorted opening riff of ‘Order/Disorder’. Hands down the hardest rocking track on the EP, it’s the locked-in rhythm section who drive the song, featuring Hischke’s best, most energetic bass playing. Gardner also displays impressive power and aggression here, beating his kit into submission in the last minute or two as Klinghoffer channels Jonny Greenwood circa 1997.

After the one-two punch of ‘Inhibition’ and ‘Order/Disorder’, the second half of the EP sees Dot Hacker explore the gentler side of their sound. Much of ‘Eye Opener’ drifts by in a haze of reverb and gorgeous falsetto, climaxing with an overwhelming wave of optimism; the aural equivalent of the sun’s rays bursting through clouds. Closer ‘Rewire’ is a subtle, brooding track that delves further into the band’s obvious Radiohead influence. Combining electronic effects and a somewhat dark chord progression reminiscent of Amnesiac, the music matches the uneasiness in Klinghoffer’s voice as he sings ‘I’m not calling you a liar / I know you have been trying / trying to inspire / but now I don’t know who I’m to believe’. Eventually though, the darkness passes as he seems to accept the situation and move on, bringing the EP to a peaceful conclusion.

The self-confidence evident on Dot Hacker’s debut is a very positive sign. These four songs offer a taste of the band’s versatility while also fitting together as a cohesive whole. Clearly, this is a group of experienced, talented musicians who know exactly what they are doing. Their full length LP Inhibition is already written, recorded, and due for release later this year, and if Dot Hacker is any indication, then we are in for one hell of a record.



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user ratings (27)
3.9
excellent
other reviews of this album
cilliancunningham (5)
This album is an original and beautiful achievement. The full album will be one of my most anticipat...



Comments:Add a Comment 
tommygun
February 29th 2012


27117 Comments


tunes:

'inhibition': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh8SgDgCSFk
'order/disorder': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfS3rwYtGwA
'eye opener': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTb1YAP5B10
'rewire': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-lGnLAOQ5E

MaskAtTheMasquerade
February 29th 2012


2924 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

great review dude! And this is just an absolutely beautiful EP

tommygun
February 29th 2012


27117 Comments


Thanks man! Inhibition is such a great song, I can't get over how gorgeous Josh's voice is

MaskAtTheMasquerade
February 29th 2012


2924 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

It's so crazy. I remember being floored when I found out he was the one who did the backing vocals on Frusciante's song

"Omission".



I'm very anxious for this LP to come out

PuddlesPuddles
February 29th 2012


4798 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Josh is awesome, these songs I think I've only heard some of them live.. Didn't know this was coming out.



Neon Arrow is an excellent song. Hope it's on the LP

North0House2
February 29th 2012


6153 Comments


I always think of Nethack when I hear this band's name. I'm a nerd I guess.

tommygun
February 29th 2012


27117 Comments


@Mask - yeah me too! The first time I heard that I was like 'who's that girl with the great voice?'

@Puddles - I think I saw a tentative track list somewhere and Neon Arrow was definitely on there. It's too good to leave out, just an amazing song

Sirob
March 1st 2012


2653 Comments


i need to listen to this

WhiteNoise
March 1st 2012


3907 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice one man! Definitley getting a Frusciante solo work vibe here but I guess that's to be expected. Perfect taste for the full album... I can't wait.

tommygun
March 1st 2012


27117 Comments


Thanks mate! Agreed, a lot of this reminded me of A Sphere in the Heart of Silence. I have been jamming that a lot lately too, such an underrated/overlooked record

WhiteNoise
March 20th 2012


3907 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This has grown on me like crazy! Bring on the album already haha

SgtPepper
Emeritus
April 24th 2012


4510 Comments


"Klinghoffer's sublime, somewhat androgynous singing voice."
- He and Anthony Green are the only two singers I know who can actually sound like women. It's a good EP, very mellow and ambient.

Great review, have a well-deserved POS.


tommygun
April 24th 2012


27117 Comments


Thanks for the kind words man, I appreciate it. Dot Hacker's debut LP is out in a week's time, can't wait

MaskAtTheMasquerade
April 24th 2012


2924 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

i didn't realize it was that soon....



!!!!!!!

tommygun
April 25th 2012


27117 Comments


May 1st, mark it on your calendars!

WhiteNoise
April 25th 2012


3907 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Pre-ordered in already :D

tommygun
April 25th 2012


27117 Comments


Sweet man I gotta get onto it too. Where did you pre-order from? And what format?

PuddlesPuddles
April 25th 2012


4798 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

The first I heard Klinghoffer at ALL was probably Omission... I then found out about The Bicycle Thief,

watched him become more and more involved with JF and RHCP



tommygun
April 25th 2012


27117 Comments


Same here man, he is so great on JF's stuff. That Bicycle Thief record is a real hidden gem, almost nobody knows about it and it's a damn shame

WhiteNoise
April 26th 2012


3907 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah the bicycle thief record is so good and nobody knows it! I preordered the CD from a link on their Facebook...I was gonna go Vinyl but my speakers are out of action.



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