Customer Reviews

Hearts On Parade

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First of all, I'm from Brazil and it's a shame that they're barely known down here. I wish they would be given more credit for their work outside North America and Europe. It's so difficult to find their albums here. I really wish they'd tour around here. I'd hate to die without seeing them play live. OK, to the album.

Yeah, yeah, anyone can tell their style is a bit different on this album. But!! To say they have changed their style for the worse would be a huge (HUGE, REALLY!) mistake. I really think they sound better now. The last CD is nearly flawless.

I've read some reviews that made me wonder: What the hell's wrong with these people!?!? Giving this album 1-star ratings (because they say they couldn't give it 0-stars!) and saying AMERICAN HI-FI is EMO?!?! Some id**t said he won't listen to bands from the mainstream radio or something like that. I say 'You can't be serious! Time to wake up, buddy!'

First. This EMO thing is just some stupid stereotype that KIDS who want to look too cool create. It's just ridiculous. Why, why in hell, would anyone not listen to music just because everybody else listens to it!! I can't understand it. REALLY. Grow up!

Second thing. It makes no sense to say AHF is EMO anyway. They're 100% good rock. And pretty original. "Corporate radio??" "POP sell-out?" Taht can't be AHF you're talking about. Seriously. I refuse to discuss that any further.

Now to what really matters. Best song is "Where Did We Go Wrong" no doubt about it. Most people don't seem to feel that way towards this song, but I always have to listen to it at least twice. The title track is also amazing. A slower pace, alright, but this just adds to the depth of the song. Very simple riffs and solos, and that's what I really like in music. It doesn't have to be awfully difficult to play to sound good(there's quite a lot of guitarists out there that should be told this, really). The lyrics are simple, but not shallow. "Hell Yeah!" - their second single - also deserves a lot of credit. Stacy's high vocals are... absolutely stunning... amaaaaaaaazing.... I didn't even think he could do that with his voice!! ...Though some people'll say he sounds girly, I think he did a great job (NOW, THAT'S INNOVATION). I could go on and write about every other song but that would take me the whole day. The other top highlights are "Highs and Lows" and "Something Real". On the other hand, "Baby Come Home" is probably the weakest song on the whole album, but definitely not just 'filler material'.

If you like Not By Choice, Finch, Yellowcard, Sum 41, New Found Glory, Counting Crows, Sugarcult, The All-American Rejects, Goo Goo Dolls, Story of the Year or Green Day you'll most definitely enjoy AHF. Guaranteed.

Outstanding offering from the skinniest band in rock. The tracks "Hell Yeah" and "Geeks Get the Girls" are catchy but not in a pop "sell-out" way. If you ever get a chance to see these guys live...just do it. They put on a smokin hot show. I saw them twice during the recent Bowling For Soup tour and they were flawless. Take the Ramones and The Knack, split the difference and you have American Hi-Fi. 100% geek endorsed.

A lot of people seem to be pleased with the new sound American Hi-Fi went with on this album. Personally I think its terrible. I was hoping for another in your face rock album in the mold of Art of Losing. Instead I bought some popped out, 80's influenced garbage. I know Butch Walker produced this album, and you will not find a bigger Butch fan than myself (his former band Marvelous 3 was the greatest and both of his solo efforts are amazing), but American Hi-Fi was not the band to try and experiment a new sound with. If you're looking for something COMPLETELY different than their first 2 albums buy this one, if you want to rock, this isn't the CD for you.

"Hearts On Parade" sounds so fresh, its a joyous return to form of one of the best Power Pop bands on the planet. This release sounds like it was an absolute blast to record. Listen to the 70's pop/funk/disco groove of "We Can't Be Friends" and "Hell Yeah!" and try to keep from dancing. The keyboard-laced verse of "The Everlasting Fall" is enjoyable enough, until you get to hear the glimmering, sing-along chorus which renders your ears helpless to it's mega-hook. Stacy Jones' lyrics add to the fun as does the production of Butch Walker and the rest of American Hi-Fi. This CD was mixed by Paul David Hagar, who also mixed my favorite release of 2004, The Argument's "Recess Serenade".

I think this album is their best so far, stacy has stopped swearing which isnt so bad but hey hes done it. jamie has turned off the distortion on his guitar and drew has got a funkier bassline. Their old drummer left the band and they got a knew drummer ,though stacy did the drums on the album. And everything is different they might aswell change their name (lame joke i know) Their previous albums are much heavier but I say this is their best. The reason I was sooooooo generous with giving four stars is that they added piano and keyboards, and in every single secondof each song you can hear the basses pulse. This is by far their weirdest album yet. Stacys lyric writing has improved to a pop sound in a good way though, trust me this album is worth getting.
I also reccomend american hi-fi's other albums, american hi fi, american hi-fi live the rock and roll noodle soup, the art of losing,and sum 41s albums , take a look at, half hour of power, all killer no filer, does this look infected and chuckalso, sugarcults 2 albums, start static and palm trees and power lines, and of course all the blink 182 albums starting with dude ranch on wards dont bother with the first album its worth listening to but dont buy it.

'Hearts...' is the band's fourth effort,the very first I've ever heard of them.Okay alternative pop,nothing to get all that excited about.But,decent I thought.Some of the better tracks are "Hell Yeah!","We Can't Be Friends" and "Highs And Lows".Line-up was tough to figure out,but as close to what I've been able to discover was:Jamie Arentzen-guitar&vocals,Drew Parsons-bass and Brian Nolan-drums.Believe they might have one other member but I couldn't find his name.Might appeal to some fans of Blink 182,Weezer,Sugarcult and Veruca Salt.

As a long time American Hi-Fi Fan, the 1st listen to this album (i imported it from Japan in the fall..therefore have been listening to it a lot) shocked the heck out of me. The 1st few listens, if you are familiar with their previous two albums will seem foreign, but after you get off the initial shock, you will hear how similar is it..yet still different, in a good way. This album sounds like its marketed for the masses...and for Radio play, in my opinion is the "poppiest" of their three albums. I'll do a quick song by song review:

1. Maybe Won't Do - 8/10 - This is a very appropriate opener for an album...the chorus is very catchy.

2. Hell Yeah! - 10/10 - This is my second favorite song on the album. It used to one that i hated because...well...its POP, and I will always love the heavier rock of American hi-fi...with that said, it is the catchiest song on the face of the planet...I dare you to not sing along and want to dance disco style....and has now become one of my favorites. it is impossible to not dance and sing along with this one.

3. The Geeks Get the Girls - 9/10 - The 1st single off the album. If you loved Flavor of the Weak, you will love this. It has RADIO written all over it. This is the sound that American hi-fi is known for.

4. Something Real - 8/10 - This is your typical Hi-Fi Ballad. Stacy singing about his broken heart. This has more of the "old" hi-fi sound, long time fans will find comfort in it.

5. We Can't Be Friends - 6/10 - I don't get this song...at all. And I will admit I'm one of very few that doesn't like it...so chances are you will. I do like the Chorus...but the rest of the song is just like "whaatttt?" I think it sounds like a white boy who cant rap. With that said, It is an awesome song to see them do live, because they have so much playing it.

6. Separation Anxiety - 10/10 - this is my favorite of the album. Its like the perfect mix of pop and rock with great lyrics. This has become one of my favorite songs from all three albums.
7. The Everlasting Fall - 9/10- Another slower one. I like this one better than "Something Real".

8. Highs and Lows - 9/10 - I LOVE this chorus...you'll find yourself tapping your feet along with this one for sure.

9. Baby Come Home - 8/10 - This song reminds me of christmas....and i have no idea why...I think it's the title. Its a good song, but nothing that stands out.

10. Where Did We Go Wrong - 9/10 - This song has a bit of an Island feel in the beginning. My 3rd favorite song on the album. Another song that reminds of of their older sound.

11. Hearts on Parade - 9/10 - Title Track. The best part of this song is the lyrics. I really like them. This is the best of the three slower songs of the album


   

I must say, i was a bit sceptical when i purchased this CD because i was a bit let down by the band's second CD, The Art of Losing. I loved the self titled first American HiFi CD, and it remains my favourite of the three because of it's raw feeling and it is a bit heavier.
This CD, Hearts on Parade however, is an excellent CD.
The opening track, Maybe Won't Do has an excellent sound to it, and sets the tone for the CD. Hell Yeah is also very catchy and easy to listen to. My favourite song is the poppy Geeks Get The Girls, which is also very funny lyrically. And another favourite is Separation Anxiety, probably because it's a bit heavier. The whole CD is very easy to listen to though, and it will be in my Cd player for a while i know.
This CD is definitely worth checking out. The band makes a welcome return, and i look forward to hearing the next one.

Nat.

Now, like most of you when i first heard this album i was like what is this. I loved their previous two albums and this one was so not close to the others. Then after a while the songs grow on you. I was thinking to myself is AHF a sellout and then i read an interview with Stacy Jones and he realizes there is an identity crisis in who they are and they are fine with that, They like to change their music with each album its never the same music. Anyway heres my short review of the album

Maybe Wont Do 9/10
Hell Yeah 9/10
Geeks 8and a half/10
Something Real 7/10
We cant be friends 10/10
Seperation Anxiety 10/10
The Everlasting fall 8/10
Highs and Lows 7/10
Baby Come Home 8/10
Where did We go wrong 8/10
Hearts on Parade 10/10

I was devestated to find out these guys were dropped by island in 2003 cos of poor sales. Basically Island did a crap job promoting the art of losing. Because it was a great album in every sense. totally rocked out. then when i found out they had been picked up and were releasing another album i was delighted. Hearts on parade is there best yet. a totally excellent album. No complaints. Catchy tunes, great lyrics, great message. Rock on guys hope to see u in spokane w.a. by the way im from ireland.