Mixerr Album Reviews #2,354

Hot Tin Roof ‎– Alive showcases the lighter side of alternative rock from Cleveland, Ohio. The sound is similar to The Buzzcocks, Audioslave, Big Audio Dynamite, Duran Duran, and Voxtrot as this album undoubtedly uses a huge edge of pop rock.

However the production is very subpar and is considerably low quality. The low quality sound indicates this album used low quality production hence the low volume in sound. That is because the 4 songs from the Alive album were recorded from a Live remote broadcast during the WMMS / Scene Breakout Concert at the Phantasy Nightclub in Cleveland, Ohio on June 17, 1990. Although Hot Tin Roof has a strong sense of harmony and melody, their choices in production are questionable.

Hot Tin Roof ‎– Alive was released on cassette only in 1990. All of the songs on this album would later be included on the 1991 album Junk And Desire that issued on CD.



Warm Jets is very Duran Duran. Hot Tin Roof seems to have mastered their own twist on Euro pop. The song uses an industrial sound. Industrial meets synth-pop and alternative rock on Warm Jets. The song uses some crunchy guitar riffs. Tom Lash uses such sophisticated words in his lyrics to this song. Read these lyrics for example: “For a fractured heartbeat and a lyric earned”

Why do we always move so fast forward? As times go by, it flies too quickly. That is factual indeed. These lyrics explain how time goes by so quickly. “As times go by, it flies too quickly” The way you shimmy and shake is like a sinful tune.

These lyrics explore and explain how there is inspiration even in denial. Sometimes when you are searching for something in life and you are in denial. However there is a spark of inspiration left inside you even if there is denial.

And I find myself searching for the words
And the chords to explain my life
Here's my true confession
There's inspiration even in denial

And I find myself searching for the words
And the chords that just might lure you
Into my life
But if plans go astray
I'll find compassion even in denial


Heart of Darkness is one of the more darker and gloomy songs on the album. In fact Heart of Darkness is one of their darker more gloomy songs in their discography. Heart of Darkness is a love song written out of desperation and pain.

It comes as no surprise when he said goodbye. It was the last time you ever converse or meet him.  In those empty hours when you're lonely and blue, you believe that your head is filled full of lies and your heart is full of truth. Lyrics to Verse 1 explain this in direct detail.

It comes as no surprise
When he said goodbye
It was for the last time
In those empty hours
When you're lonely
Lonely and blue
Believe your head full of lies
Your heart full of truth

Here is the comforting part of the song. The comforting part of the song can be found in the lyrics below.

I will keep you safe here
Console you deep inside
Don't spend another night
Dreaming of days
Dreaming of days gone by


I rate this album 2/5**.