Cobra Starship – Hot Mess (Deluxe Edition) (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

August 20, 2009 by Dennis Amith 

“Third time is definitely a charm for the band Cobra Starship.  ‘Hot Mess’ is a solid full-length album with cool music, catchy and addictive tracks. From start to finish, I absolutely enjoyed every track!   Overall, an awesome album!”

BAND: Cobra Starship

ALBUM: Hot Mess (Deluxe Edition)

LABEL:  Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen

DURATION: 49:12

RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2009

1. Nice Guys Finish Last (Album Version)
2. Pete Wentz is the Only Reason We’re Famous (Explicit Album Version)
3. Good Girls So Bad (feat. Leighton Meester) (Album Verison)
4. Fold Your Hands Child (Explicit Album Version)
5. You’re Not In On the Joke (Album Version)
6. Hot Mess (Explicit Album Version)
7. Living in the Sky with Diamonds (Album Version)
8. We Hot American Summer (Album Version)
9. The Scene is Dead; Love Live the Scene (Album Version)
10. Move Like You Gonna Die (Explicit Album Version)
11. The World Will Never Do (feat. B.o.B.) (Album Version)
12. I May Be Rude But I’m the Truth (B Side) (Explicit Album Version)
13. Good Girls So Bad (feat. Leighton Meester) (Suave Suavez on Pleasure Rysland Remix)
14. Good Girls So Bad (feat. Leighton Meester) (Cash Cash Remix)

American alternative band Cobra Starship created by Midtown bass/lead vocalist Gabe Saporta, guitarist Ryland Blackinton, bass player Alex Suarez, drummer Nate Novarro and keytar musician Victoria Asher return with their third album “Hot Mess”.

Their third full-length album is their most exciting album yet!

The album kicks off with their groove-inducing track “Nice Guys Finish Last” which is just one hell of an opening track for the band. Catchy, addictive and an awesome opening track!

The second track “Pete Wentz is the Only Reason We’re Famous” is either Saporta showing some love for Wentz or possibly the appreciation for the band getting to open for Wentz’s band Fall Out Boy or giving thanks for their inclusion of FOB’s “Citizens For Our Betterment” mixtape. Nevertheless, a pretty cool rock track. Although not an official single, the group showcased the song on their Youtube and MySpace site.

The third track features the band’s first single off the album showcasing the vocals of “Gossip Girl” actress Leighton Meester for the track “Good Girls Go Bad” (produced by Kevin Rudolf and mega producer, “American Idol” judge and former Warner Bros. Records VP of A&R, Kara DioGuardi) which I absolutely enjoyed tremendously during the single’s initial release.

Now whether or not Meester’s involvement in the track will generate interest in her music career will remain to be seen.

Other standout tracks include “Hot Mess” which is just addictive and almost sports that old school 80’s sound while “Living In the Sky with Diamonds” shows that the group can also deliver in the vocals category.

But when you get to a track such as “The World Will Never Do”, the band dabbles with a pop sound and for the most part, the song is addictive and catchy and showcasing hip hop rhymes courtesy of B.o.B.

And ending with the album with another solid track “I May Be Rude But I’m the Truth (B side)”.

The Deluxe version that I’m reviewing has two bonus tracks of “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring a Suave Suarez and Cash Cash Remix but for those who purchase the album from iTunes will get the bonus track “New Edition” and a Matt Haick remix of “Good Girls Go Bad”, another deluxe edition features the bonus track “Cobras Never Say Die” and an Isom Innis remix of “Good Girls Go Bad”.

Whichever version you select, you can’t go wrong with this album. It’s more of an album that emphasizes a fun, care-free attitude without being preachy or deep. The music is diverse and good creative experimentation on this album and definitely a major improvement since “¡Viva La Cobra!”.

Overall, Cobra Starship’s “Hot Mess” is a solid album and is highly recommended.