No Hats Beyond This Point Explained

No Hats Beyond This Point
Type:studio
Artist:Men Without Hats
Cover:No_Hats_Beyond_This_Point.png
Released:November 4, 2003
Recorded:2002
Genre:Synthpop
Length:37:03
Label:Cloud 9 Records
Producer:Stefan Doroschuk
Prev Title:The Very Best of Men Without Hats
Prev Year:1997
Next Title:My Hats Collection
Next Year:2006

No Hats Beyond this Point is the sixth studio album by Canadian synthpop group Men Without Hats. Released in 2003, it was their first album in twelve years. After the release of the album, the group broke up. It was the group's third and final album to be produced by Stefan Doroschuk.

Style and availability

The album's music consisted almost entirely of synthesizers, reverting to the group's previous sound.

"How Does it Feel", the fourth track on the album, dates back to 2000, having been written for Ivan Doroschuk's putative second solo album. It is considered an "underground" album, a rarity that was not released to any record stores. In 2011, however, Stefan released the album commercially on several platforms for digital streaming and download.

All instruments were played by brothers Ivan and Stefan Doroschuk, with Ivan as lead singer. Female background vocals were provided by Stefan's wife Mary-Lou Deehy, joined on one track by Stefan's daughters Mary-Lynn and Emmy-Lou Doroschuk.

Critical reception

AllMusic's David Jeffries noted the return of the band's iconic graphic symbol and synthesizer sound, in a negative review that contrasted "the wry songwriting and catchy melodies of the early days" with unsatisfying "juvenile instrumental backing" and "insipid melodies" on the new album. The review criticized the album's social commentary as excessive, "simplistic and filled with clichés," and added, "It's hard not to cringe when main man Ivan Doroschuk delivers such sophomoric lyrics so sternly."

Personnel