Suicide Invoice


Suicide Invoice is the second studio album by the San Diego, California rock band Hot Snakes, released in 2002 by Swami Records. It was recorded in a similar manner to the band's previous album Automatic Midnight, with guitarist John Reis taking time off from his main band Rocket from the Crypt. As a visual artist and illustrator singer/guitarist Rick Froberg provided the album's artwork, while Reis released the album through his Swami Records label.

Promotion

As with Automatic Midnight, touring in support of Suicide Invoice was limited due to the band members residing on opposite sides of the country, though they were able to tour the United States. The following year drummer Jason Kourkounis departed the band and Reis resumed full-time work with Rocket from the Crypt. The band would reunite in 2004 for another album and more extensive touring, replacing Kourkounis with Rocket from the Crypt drummer Mario Rubalcaba.

Reception

The album was quite favorably received. Emma Johnston writes that the album "takes its foot off the pedal a little, and in the process showcases Hot Snakes’ wonderfully snarky side " Joseph Larkin calls it "arguably best effort The mostly mid-tempo album is more experimental than its predecessor, incorporating organ, melodica and seriously clever offbeat lyrics." "The only tropes these guys know are 'kicking ass' and 'taking names,'" writes Eric Carr, "and the rest can go to hell, because Suicide Invoice is nothing but rock viscera in its most elegant simplicity. And sometimes, that's all you need."
Daphne Carr was more mixed in her assessment, criticizing the ironic and emotionally distant tone of most of the album She concludes by writing "With this album, Hot Snakes only build their repertoire of rock to satisfy the indie kids looking for something as angry as nu-metal with a tinge more self-awareness."

Accolades

Pitchfork ranked it the 35th best album of the year.

Personnel

Album information