Hot Messis the third studio album by the American musical ensembleCobra Starship,released throughFueled by RamenandDecaydance Recordson August 11, 2009. The album is the follow-up to 2007's¡Viva la Cobra!.It debuted at No. 4 on theBillboard200albums chart on sales of more than 42,000, by far their best chart performance ever.[2]
An advance review by James Montgomery ofMTVstated this was their most brilliant album.[4]Michael Menachem ofBillboardfell in favor of the album, saying "If you don't finish this party record a hot mess, then you probably didn't have a good time."[5]Tim Sendra ofAllMusiccalledHot Mess"a complete success and shows that the band could possibly grow past the comedy and become something else entirely."[6]Daniel Brockman ofThe Phoenixgave a generally positive review, stating, "Only a music fan obsessed with the rules of authenticity and the requirements for lyrical profundity could find fault with the 11 odes to overload that make upHot Mess."[7]Mikael Wood ofSpinraved that "Hot Mess is flush with other stupid-smart highlights, including 'Pete Wentz Is the Only Reason We're Famous."[8]Rolling Stone's Christian Hoard said that "Sometimes the former Midtown singer's snark falls flat, as with the title 'Pete Wentz Is the Only Reason We're Famous' or the part where the singer brags about his ass. But Saporta does have some pop gifts, apparent on the disco 'Living in the Sky with Diamonds.'"[9]Edna GundersenofUSA Todaygave the album three stars out of four and stated: "While unquestionably accessible, Cobra's retro, overly flashy Swedish-leaning pop isn't for everyone. It's daft, it's dorky, it's discofied, but it's also deliciously fun and kitschy."[10]
Bill Lamb ofAbout.comgave the album 4/5 stars, using a comparison to praise; "You went digging around in your parents closet of old vinyl LP's from the 80's, found one with candy-coated colors on the cover, played it on their old turntable and discovered it really wasn't bad. Then a few days later after listening to it for the 15th time you realized you had fallen in love with the goofy, fun, sarcastic music. It's quite possible it sounded a lot like Cobra Starship's Hot Mess."[11]
By October 2009, the album's sales stood at 80,000.[12]
The Goodie Two Shoes Gang: Lori Hernberg, Cody Tompkins,Bim Fernandez,Janice Cruz, Christine J. Schmidt, Emily Everding and Jaime Boulter – "Nice Guys Finish Last"
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