What makes Audit in Progress by Hot Snakes notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon its release, highlighted by a positive review from Pitchfork that praised its tight arrangements and lyrical depth. Audit in Progress further solidified Hot Snakes' reputation within the punk rock scene, influencing countless bands that followed it during the early 2000s resurgence of punk music. Audit in Progress is Hot Snakes' third studio album, released after a brief hiatus following their previous album, Suicide Invoice. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their distinctive style that blends punk rock with post-hardcore influences, showcasing a mature sound while still retaining their energetic edge.

How many songs are on Audit in Progress?

Audit in Progress has 12 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Audit in Progress

Hot Snakes · 2004

33 min · 12 tracks · punk rock

Frenetic punk energy collides with sharp lyrical wit, creating a sound that's both urgent and introspective.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Braintrust — This opening track establishes the album's frenetic pace and sets a tone of urgency with its rapid-fire lyrics and driving instrumentation.
→
Audit in Progress — The title track encapsulates the band's signature blend of humor and critique, balancing catchy riffs with incisive lyrics about modern life.
→
Hatchet Job — With its anthemic chorus and infectious rhythm, this track exemplifies the band’s ability to merge accessibility with punk intensity, making it a standout moment.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album combines sharp lyrics with energetic punk arrangements, showcasing a distinctive sound within its genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a frenetic tone, maintaining high energy through the first half before introducing more varied tempos.
Lyrical themes shift between personal introspection and social commentary, often delivered in a rapid-fire vocal style that complements the instrumentation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Braintrust 1:59
2 Hi‐Lites 2:41
3 Retrofit 2:54
4 Kreative Kontrol 2:22
5 Think About Carbs 2:13
6 Audit in Progress 2:30
7 Hatchet Job 3:40
8 This Mystic Decade 3:03
9 Lovebirds 3:13
10 Reflex 3:02
11 Hair and DNA 2:30
12 Plenty for All 3:14

What to play next

Listen next

Thunder Down Under

2006

Go back to

Suicide Invoice

2002

Full Hot Snakes discography Artists like Hot Snakes

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata