Release Date: April 18th, 2007
Label: Universal
For their fourth time out, Sahara Hotnights came at us with an almost completely new sound. The single Cheek To Cheek promised a pop-minded, more dance-conscious side to the group. With its galloping beat and saxophone breakdown, it is the pinnacle of the band�s career so far. And, nothing on their new album, What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing, can match it.
Far from the rockier sound the group has ridden to success in the past, Leaving attempts to show a more mature side. Embracing elements of roots music, country and 80�s pop, most of the songs are interesting experiments for the girls. Opener Visit To Vienna is an unqualified success, a rollicking stomper that sounds like nothing they have ever done yet retains the simple catchiness of their past material. Other tracks are a bit more subdued, which is surprising for a band who used to be so boisterous. And, while everything sounds technically great, there just aren�t enough melodies that really entrench themselves deeply enough to prove memorable. Of the new rootsy sound (which does suit the band surprisingly well), Salty Lips is definitely the standout, a back porch singalong perched somewhere between Pat Benatar and the Dixie Chicks. The record looses a lot of its punch in its final third, though. Puppy and Static are about as boring as their titles, while album closer If Anyone Matters It�s You is Leaving�s most ineffective ballad.
While What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing tries on a new sound for Sahara Hotnights, it also seems to have forgotten that new sounds still require great songs. They�ve got at least three here, Cheek To Cheek being an absolute classic, and the rest comes dangerously close to filler. One can hope that this is just a transitional album and they�ll kick it into high gear next time. C+
Key Tracks: Cheek To Cheek, Visit To Vienna, Salty Lips
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