Album Reviews
Melbourne’s Hormones originally released Hot For Hormones last year, but it has now transitioned from a digital/CD release to vinyl thanks to Stardumb Records.
This queer quartet delivers tales of life as a gorgeous trans woman in a transphobic world, and while Ramones-style pop punk is hardly groundbreaking, they still churn out plenty of catchy hooks, with standouts like “If I Was Your Girl” and “Walk of Shame.”
The songs may be straightforward, but the lyrics cut deeper than your average Ramonescore record. “Out of the House, Out of the Closet” tackles being outed before you’re ready, while “Transgender Menace” pushes back against the demonization of trans people.
The downside is that the songs start to blur together as the album wears on. The vocals, too, rarely stray from the same melodic lane across all 14 tracks. There are undeniably catchy moments on Hot For Hormones, but as a full album it ends up feeling a little too samey.
Hot For Hormones track listing:
- I Wanna Be Your Herfriend
- Birthday Dress
- Out of the House, Out of the Closet
- Got My Head Straight (The Rest of Me Got Gay)
- Poppers & Ritalin
- If I Was Your Girl
- Transgender Menace
- Hayley Smith
- Walk of Shame
- No More Mr. Guy
- You Don't Have A Son
- Gender Therapy
- When I Was A Boy (I Was Really A Girl)
- If I Was Your Girl (Betty's Version)
Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.
