Track listing
Show track credits
- 1 Hot Wire 5:22
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co-producer
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mixing engineer
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- 2 Girl Money 3:58
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co-producer
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mixing engineer
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- 3 Luv-A-Holic 4:39
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bass, keyboards, background vocals
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producer, mixing engineer
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- 4 Tear Down the Walls 4:35
- 5 Bump the La La 3:28
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bass, keyboards, background vocals
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producer, mixing engineer
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- 6 Rock & Roll Overdose 4:29
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bass, keyboards, background vocals
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producer, mixing engineer
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- 7 Cold Chills 5:19
- 8 Same Jane 4:33
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bass, keyboards, background vocals
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producer, mixing engineer
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- 9 Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar) 4:12
- 10 Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush 5:33
- Total length: 46:08
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
To rate, slide your finger across the stars from left to right.
9 Issues
15 Reviews
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1
Hot Wire
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2
Girl Money
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3
Luv-A-Holic
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4
Tear Down the Walls
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5
Bump the La La
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6
Rock & Roll Overdose
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7
Cold Chills
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8
Same Jane
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9
Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar)
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10
Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush
Kix's "Hotwire": Another Rocking Triumph
Kix's fifth album, "Hotwire," released in 1991, stands as yet another testament to the band's enduring prowess in the rock genre. It's puzzling why some critics label this genre as cheesy, given that it has birthed some of the most iconic guitarists and vocalists in rock history. Steve Whiteman certainly belongs in that elite club and showcases his remarkable talents on this album, just as he does on their previous releases.
"Hotwire" is packed with great melodies and catchy choruses, characteristics that some might dub cheesy. However, this is a misunderstanding of the genre. While the lyrics often delve into sleazy territory, they are far from cheesy, employing innuendos, similes, and metaphors to craft songs that require more thought and artistry, unlike the straightforward, thoughtless lyrics that have become common in today's music.
Another common misconception is the difference between being influenced by an artist and ripping them off. Claims that "Hotwire" rips off AC/DC miss the mark. While there are hints of Bon Scott's influence in some vocals, the album is distinctively Kix. It may nod toward AC/DC in select songs, such as "Girl Money," where the Bon Scott influence is clear, but it remains far from being a rip-off.
"Hotwire" is a fantastic album that any Kix fan will adore.
The album kicks off with "Hotwire," a classic Kix rocker, setting the tone for what's to come. The guitar work retains the timeless Kix sound, harking back to their debut album.
"Girl Money" follows suit, making an excellent choice for the second track. It's a rocker with a catchy chorus and verses flavored with a Bon Scott influence.
"Luv-A-Holic" continues the rocking vibe, with Kix delivering yet another catchy chorus.
"Tear Down the Walls" is a standout ballad that deserved more recognition than it received. It's a powerful track, even though the rise of grunge was on the horizon with Beavis and Butthead.
"Bump the La La" brings us back to rock territory, with Kix delivering another track featuring a catchy chorus. The lyrics, far from corny, are cleverly written using innuendos, similes, and metaphors.
"Rock & Roll Overdose" is another classic-sounding Kix track, complete with cool harmonica parts.
"Cold Chills" offers a cool mid-tempo vibe that could easily have found its place on one of their first two albums.
"Same Jane" is another killer song with a catchy chorus, showing that Kix continues to bring their A-game.
"Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar)" may be the low point of the album, but it's still a decent track, featuring a reasonable chorus.
"Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush" gives the impression of a bluesy start but quickly turns into a rocking track. In the context of such a strong album, this song doesn't quite hold up to the rest, but it's far from being a bad song.
In essence, "Hotwire" is another impressive chapter in Kix's musical journey, proving that they remain a force to be reckoned with in the world of rock.
Published
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A few reviews ago I mentioned LA's Junkyard were the first of a number of new-to-me hard / glam rock bands to which I was about to become acquainted. Hagerstown, Maryland's Kix are the second.
The only explanation is old age regression: the older I get, the closer I become to my teenage self. Back in the early seventies it was a mixture of glam and hard rock which first piqued my interest in music and, as time passes, it feels like I'm heading back in that direction. At this rate I'm well on my way to uncontrollable drooling and incontinence pants!
I fully expected to be writing a derisory review for Hot Wire – especially after enduring the opening screeched line from Steve Whiteman. Sounding more like the wicked witch of the west than a wannabe rock god, someone has obviously coated the inside of his leather pants with chilli powder. But, rather than a permanent irritant, Whiteman becomes a sturdy cog in a very well oiled machine.
By the time Kix released Hot Wire they'd honed their craft to the point where nearly every track was an archetype of sleazy raunch 'n' roll. And it is a craft. It's easy to dismiss Kix' brand of glam metal as worthless but, when really nailed, it grabs hold of you by the scruff of the neck and hammers those driving riffs so deep into your skull you can't shake them loose. "Luv-a-Holic", "Bump The La La" and "Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush" are ultimately as dumb as their titles would suggest but, boy, are they fun. And when Whiteman starts chanting "Liar, liar, pants on fire" any embarrassment is overridden by the pure adrenaline rush. Yes, Kix are following a template laid down by Bon Scott era AC/DC and "Pants On Fire" bends and twists the riff from The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" but, why mess around with a proven winning formula - even if it is someone else's?
Hot Wire is wounded by the inclusion of the crappy power ballad "Tear Down The Walls", which comes complete with corny echo. It's the melodramatic intensity of such feathery mush which turned me away from the genre all those years ago and my attitude hasn't changed in the interim. That aside, Hot Wire is a dumb, fun ride and, even though grunge quite rightly came in and cleaned house, it's a crying shame bands like Kix were thrown out with the rest of the crap.
The only explanation is old age regression: the older I get, the closer I become to my teenage self. Back in the early seventies it was a mixture of glam and hard rock which first piqued my interest in music and, as time passes, it feels like I'm heading back in that direction. At this rate I'm well on my way to uncontrollable drooling and incontinence pants!
I fully expected to be writing a derisory review for Hot Wire – especially after enduring the opening screeched line from Steve Whiteman. Sounding more like the wicked witch of the west than a wannabe rock god, someone has obviously coated the inside of his leather pants with chilli powder. But, rather than a permanent irritant, Whiteman becomes a sturdy cog in a very well oiled machine.
By the time Kix released Hot Wire they'd honed their craft to the point where nearly every track was an archetype of sleazy raunch 'n' roll. And it is a craft. It's easy to dismiss Kix' brand of glam metal as worthless but, when really nailed, it grabs hold of you by the scruff of the neck and hammers those driving riffs so deep into your skull you can't shake them loose. "Luv-a-Holic", "Bump The La La" and "Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush" are ultimately as dumb as their titles would suggest but, boy, are they fun. And when Whiteman starts chanting "Liar, liar, pants on fire" any embarrassment is overridden by the pure adrenaline rush. Yes, Kix are following a template laid down by Bon Scott era AC/DC and "Pants On Fire" bends and twists the riff from The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" but, why mess around with a proven winning formula - even if it is someone else's?
Hot Wire is wounded by the inclusion of the crappy power ballad "Tear Down The Walls", which comes complete with corny echo. It's the melodramatic intensity of such feathery mush which turned me away from the genre all those years ago and my attitude hasn't changed in the interim. That aside, Hot Wire is a dumb, fun ride and, even though grunge quite rightly came in and cleaned house, it's a crying shame bands like Kix were thrown out with the rest of the crap.
Published
High energy Rock N' Roll.
The Hard Rock/Glam Metal band KIX got its start in the late '70s. But it wasn't until 1988 with the album "Blow My Fuse" that they er... blew up. The power ballad "Don't Close Your Eyes" once appeared on just about every imaginable rock compilation. "Hot Wire" was the band's fifth album, and the follow-up to the massivly successful "Blow My Fuse". There is no doubt that AC/DC was one of the band's major sources of inspiration, because some of the songs on "Hot Wire" are straight out of the AC/DC songbook. But KIX is probably significantly better than AC/DC when it comes to writing power ballads. I can't claim that KIX was neither hugely original nor particularly unique, blending in smoothly among countless bands playing the same genre in the 80s. But still, I've always had a soft spot for them. They made up for it with energetic performance and solid tunes. And fantastic guitar playing by Brian Forsythe and Ronnie Younkins. After "Hot Wire", there was one more album, before the band disbanded. A later reunion resulted in yet another new album in 2014. After that time, they have functioned as a touring live band, without any new music being released. They have been on tour through 2023 as well.Published
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1
Hot Wire
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2
Girl Money
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3
Luv-A-Holic
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4
Tear Down the Walls
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5
Bump the La La
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6
Rock & Roll Overdose
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7
Cold Chills
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8
Same Jane
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9
Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar)
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10
Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush
All in all, it rocks!
Published
Another classic Kix album. Unfornatley this was released when Glam was dying, but it still reached 64 on the charts, since glam wasn't completly dead.
Published
Even if this album was released in 1991 its still a 100% 80s sounding KIX album and thats the way i like it. Some very good songs on it like HOT WIRE, the chorus by GIRL MONEY, the emotional TEAR DOWN THE WALLS, the kix ass ROCK&ROLL OVERDOSE, COLD CHILLS, SAME JANE and the stupid titled HEE BEE JEE BEE CRUSH.
KIX were underrated during the 80s, also during the 90s and still today they are, like so many other cool bands like KILLER DWARFS, DIRTY LOOKS or even HELIX. All AC/DC influenced bands.
KIX were underrated during the 80s, also during the 90s and still today they are, like so many other cool bands like KILLER DWARFS, DIRTY LOOKS or even HELIX. All AC/DC influenced bands.
Published
Wow! one of those albums released in the early 90's that would of been huge say '89. Kix follows up the platinum selling ''Blow My Fuse'' with this releases and just kicks ass doin it. "Hot Wire" gets things started up and its a rocker for sure followed with one of Kix's best songs "Girl Money" what a hit this song could of been. Its a great live track with its killer chorus. "Bump The LA-LA" , "R'n'r Overdose", "Same Jane" and "Pants On Fire" are honorable mentions here.
Published
Great album by Kix! If you liked Blow My Fuse then you're sure to like this one as well.
Best songs (in order that they appear on the album) are "Hot Wire", "Girl Money", "Tear Down The Walls", "Bump The La La" and "Same Jane."
Best songs (in order that they appear on the album) are "Hot Wire", "Girl Money", "Tear Down The Walls", "Bump The La La" and "Same Jane."
Published
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Catalog
20 Feb 2024
25 Jan 2024
10 Jan 2024
7 Dec 2023
6 Nov 2023
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1
Hot Wire
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2
Girl Money
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3
Luv-A-Holic
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4
Tear Down the Walls
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5
Bump the La La
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6
Rock & Roll Overdose
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7
Cold Chills
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8
Same Jane
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9
Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar)
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10
Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush
7 Oct 2023
6 Oct 2023
5 Oct 2023
9 Sep 2023
7 Sep 2023
3 Sep 2023
7 Aug 2023
6 Jul 2023
31 May 2023
5 Apr 2023
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