There was a time when independent music put out by post-punk bands was still obscure, a treat only few knew of. That time is over, and with bands like The Killers, Franz Ferdinand and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs invading the once exclusively bubblegum screens of MTV, the treat is now there for all to hear, over and over and over.

The few years between Canadian post-punk darlings Hot Hot Heat’s major label debut and its most recent release, “Elevator” has set up the perfect scene for the quartets huge success. The new record features what Hot Hot Heat does best: catchy, danceable tracks with choruses that will not leave your head until you hear the record again.

However, “Elevator” does fail where their last release, “Make up the Breakdown” succeeds. Blame it on over thinking, stress put on by the record company, the lineup shuffle the band suffered or the toll of years touring and away from the studio – whatever the reason, a few tracks fall short. The catchiness of tracks like “You owe me an IOU” sounds almost forced, and the more melodic songs come off as an unnatural effort to stray away from the formula that works for them best.

For the most part however, as on the single “Goodnight, Goodnight” and a few other choice tracks (“Island of the Honest Man” and “Pick it Up“), singer Steve Bays still sings in the same quirky voice, presses the notes on his keyboards the same way that makes everyone who hears the songs infallibly want to get up and dance.

During an interview at a Dallas stop on their current tour of the U.S., members of the band discussed the sound of the new record. “We decided to write a conscious pop record,” added Steve Bays, who was quickly contradicted by bassist Dustin Hawthorne: “I don’t think it’s pop all the way through because I think there are songs that are kind of dark – it’s not like it’s straight bubblegum through and through.” “It’s just catchy,” settled drummer Paul Hawley.

There is one thing the boys can agree on though: they are ready for the record to finally come out. “I’m ready to cash in,” jokes Hawley when asked about his feelings on today’s more receptive music market. It’s true, Hot Hot Heat probably won’t have any problems paying the bills this year. With a hit-packed record, a sold-out tour and a buzz louder than an angry beehive, these guys are set.

“Hot Hot Heat – Elevator” came out April 5th.