Customer Reviews

Fight the Frequency

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've liked all three albums from these guys. Even Hearts on Parade, which some fans hate, and which was quite a departure from the band's established sound. That record was more pop than rock, and I can see why it would anger certain fans. Still, it contained some good songs on it, and I wouldn't even call one song from it bad. It was just different, musically and lyrically.

I've been looking forward to this new album for probably two years now, and I'm relieved to say it was worth the wait. This band seems to have gotten back on track with their old sound, but that isn't to say they're just retreading old ground. I miss this kind of music, and this seems to be one of the last bands around I can count on for quality.

This album has a good mix of songs on it. Where Love is a Lie and Lost are pretty much the ballads, which this band is not known for, but they excel at here. This is a Low, Keep it Like a Secret, and Bullet are rockers. Fight the Frequency, Acetate, and Stargazer are fun and infectious. Tiny Spark is an epic closing song with nice guitar solos. Frat Clump showcases some screaming and fast guitars, making it sound like it could have come off of American Hi-Fi's The Art of Losing.

If you like American Hi-Fi, you'll like this. If you're new to the band, check this out and give the older stuff a try as well. This is catchy music with good lyrics and sounds throughout.

Based on the cover of American Hi-Fi's new album, "Fight The Frequency," it is apparent that the band wants to return to its roots, as the cover is nearly identical to that of their 2001 debut album. And for those who remember the well-crafted pop/rock with occasional punk leanings on that album, which were similar to a hybrid of Oasis and Lit, than the sound of this new set of songs will not disappoint. It's as if time has stood still, and the band picked up right after the last track on that debut album. Nine years on, the band is still in fine form, and can still rock out. In between the two albums, the band went for a harder sound on 2003's "The Art Of Losing" and went pop on 2005's "Hearts On Parade."

As another reviewer mentioned, the first six songs on the album are very solid. And the ending track, Tiny Spark, is also very good. But there is a good bit of filler in between (tracks 7-11) and it takes away from the greatness of what it might have ended up being. Nevertheless, it is quite refreshing to hear so many good tracks from this band, and overall, this might be the best album they have done yet.

I have been a fan of this Boston band from the very start and unlike most bands "Hi-Fi" have never let me down.
It's been five years since the highly under-rated "Hearts on Parade" in my opinion but "Fight the Frequency" is way worth the wait. From the get go its solid throughout... My only major fault would be that "Frat" song. It doesn't suit the album but hey maybe with more listens it may grow on me.
Great comeback album with catchy hooks and awesome cranked up on your car stereo. My personal favourite would have to be "Bullet".

I have been following American Hi-Fi since their self-titled debut in 2001, and have been waiting for this very album to come out since the band first announced it over two years ago. That said, the album starts off very strong. Fight the Frequency, This Is A Low, Acetate, and Lost are all stand-out tracks that you will come back to again and again. But beginning with the song Frat Clump the album loses its creative steam. The album ends on a high note with Tiny Spark, but the fillers in-between hold this effort back from the amazing album that it could have been.

Taking a break from being the band behind Miley Cyrus, the members of American Hi-Fi have regrouped to release the long-awaited follow-up to their amazing 2005 record, "Hearts on Parade". Produced by Butch Walker, "Hearts on Parade" has become one of the favorite underground pop rock records of the last decade.

American Hi-Fi is: Stacy Jones on vocals/drums/guitar, Jamie Arentzen on guitar/vocals, Drew Parsons on bass/vocals, and Brian Nolan on drums. And, for the sake of accuracy, not all of them play for Miley Cyrus. American Hi-Fi got off to a wonderful start in 2001 with their self-titled debut album, which contained the hit single "Flavor of the Weak". Unfortunately, nothing else from this notable debut got any traction and their second record, "The Art of Losing", proved to be a sophomore jinx. "Hearts on Parade" had big comeback written all over it, but it surprisingly failed to give these guys the success they deserved. Which brings us to "Fight The Frequency", their fourth time at bat after a long sit on the bench.

Jones describes the new record as sounding "...a little like Elliott Smith partying with the Foo Fighters at a kegger with My Bloody Valentine and Superdrag". For those of you who lack the imagination to conjure up exactly how that would sound, let me try to break it down for you. The title track starts us off, an energetic and inspirational anthem that affirms that the band hasn't lost a step. "This Is A Low" is grittier and not as immediately memorable, but will appeal to those who like the darker side of American Hi-Fi. Three tracks in and we have the first ballad, "Where Love Is A Lie", which begins with a gentle acoustic verse that leads to an explosive chorus - fairly predictable, but enjoyable song nonetheless. "Acetate" is a crunchy radio-ready rocker that could have fit nicely on "Hearts On Parade" - it is one of my favorites on the CD. This brings us to the first single, "Lost". With its safe formula, combining a driving verse with power ballad chorus, it should do well and bring greater attention to this underrated band.

The latter half of the record is uneven, switching between less melodic, grungy songs and the bright, catchy pop rock. Despite second-half highlights like "Lookout For Hope" and "A Taste For Crime", I am likely to stop this CD halfway through.

Best tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9
Bill's Music Forum review