The album Scenes One Through Thirteen (Ohev, 2001) collects their early singles and compilation tracks. Keep My Name Out of Your Mouth, The Case That They Gave Me and You're Ruining it For Everyone are retro` and intriguing the way B52's and XTC used to be.

Vocalist and keyboardist Steve Bays and guitarist Dante DeCaro matured on the EP Knock Knock Knock (Subpop, 2002), which added three gems to their repertoire: Le Le Low, Touch You Touch You, More For Show.

Make Up The Breakdown (Subpop, 2002) is propelled by the verve of rock'n'roll (Naked In The City Again) and even southern boogie (This Town), but the catchy, Ultravox-sounding fractured techno-funk-ska of No Not Now is the most appropriate manifesto for their style, grounded in keyboard flourishes and a steady beat. The Merseybeat march-like refrain of Get In Or Get Out is enhanced with a classically-inspired keyboard solo reminiscent of Yes. The frantic Bandages weds carnival music and punk sneer. Talk To Me Dance With Me is notable for how it incorporates a charleston from the 1920s in a modernist song. Oh Goddamnit is old-fashioned power-pop supported by solemn chord progressions and thick drumming. Their science is not terribly difficult, but can be occasionally very engaging.

XTC's slick power-pop was reborn on Elevator (Reprise, 2005), although even its catchiest numbers (Dirty Mouth, Goodnight Goodnight) were not worthy of the masters.

Hot Hot Heat's guitarist Dante DeCaro formed Johnny And The Moon (2007), a Sixties-revival project, before moving to Wolf Parade.

Happiness Ltd (Sire, 2007) strives to entertain with trite hooks and grooves (Happiness Ltd, Let Me In, My Best Friend, Conversation) arranged as if they were Beethoven's lost symphony, but truly succeeds only once, with 5 Times Out Of 100, that happens to be one of their oldest songs.

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