USA Today opined that "its bluesy orientation unfortunately downplays Jimmy Vaughan's [sic] guitar."[14] The Los Angeles Times determined that "the general familiarity of this record ... will probably appeal more to the band's new fans than to the old faithful."[10]The Kingston Whig-Standard wrote that "Kim Wilson doesn't so much sing with the band as it sings behind him; the result is a less spirited and thinner sound."[15] The Toronto Star deemed the album "sweaty, grimy, bar-room rock 'n' soul."[16]The New York Times tied "Streets of Gold" to 1980s heartland rock songs about socioeconomic issues.[17]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Kim Wilson; except where indicated
^Brogan, Daniel (3 July 1987). "Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hot Number". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 67.
^Okamoto, David (12 July 1987). "The Fabulous Thunderbirds: Hot Number". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2F.
^Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research Inc. p. 263.
^Okamoto, Shari (October 2, 1987). "Fresh off a two-month tour...". Daily Breeze. p. E11.
^Washburn, Jim (July 3, 1987). "Tuff T-birds – Band ditches its four-piece sound and gives fans a taste of true funk with 'Hot Number'". Orange County Register. p. P44.
^Tucker, Ken (18 June 1987). "Summer Music". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
^Gilbert, Calvin (July 17, 1987). "Thunderbirds still doing it their way with Hot". Fun. The Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 2.
^Stout, Gene (October 9, 1987). "Fabulous Thunderbirds Are Tough Enough to Make It". What's Happening. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. 8.
^Mackie, John (11 July 1987). "T-Birds add soul to R&B punch and it's a knockout combination". Vancouver Sun. p. D8.
^ abHochman, Steve (12 July 1987). "Hot Number The Fabulous Thunderbirds". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 93.