Elevator is a disappointment. Hot Hot Heat's last album Make Up The Breakdown was full of energetic, rhythmically-driven, new-wave pop. Elevator tries to improve on the formula, but succeeds only sporadically. Sure, "Goodnight Goodnight" is an ace single, "You Owe Me An IOU" displays their lyrical wit, and "Island Of The Honest Man" flashes their rhythmic prowess, but much of the album either plays it too straight or is just plain dull. The album is only 38 minutes, but seems to drag for long stretches. This is a band that shouldn't be shackled to 4/4 tempo. Hopefully they'll let loose a little more with their next album. 6 out of 10.