Customer Reviews

Hi-Fi Serious

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Despite all the doom, and gloom, and artifice, something glorious is happening in music this year. Kids reared on 80's pop metal and 90's grunge are growing up to create music that brings the two genres together into the perfect power punk combination. Witness Andrew WK, Jimmy Eat World, the Hives, Weezer, and now A. Hi Fi Serious is A's latest album, and if this isn't a bid for commercial superstardom, nothing is. But here's the thing: when you try and reach a broad audience by concentrating on melody, and not image, great things can happen. And here's proof.

Hi Fi Serious is a gloriously overproduced 50 minutes of fun. Only the opener, "Nothing," is a dud (and even it has a killer bridge). Everything that follows is straight pop rock out of Def Leppard's playbook, only with that little bit of 90's edge that makes all the difference between wimpy poser music and rock star glory. "Something's Going On" and "6 O'Clock on a Tube Stop" set the tone with quietly tuneful verses and soaring choruses. The band then rockets through 9 more songs, ditching ballads, and emphasizing melodies so big you could surf down them. Sure, the lyrics leave a little to be desired, but who cares? You'll be too busy hopping up and with a silly grin on your mug to care. A gets away with it because it's musical sensibility is as innocent as a first kiss. Songs like "Nothing and "Shut Yer Face" try and give them a little more attitude, but they don't need it. Not when they have a song like "Pacific Ocean Blue," a song so big and wonderful it makes you remember why pop is king. Try sitting still while hearing it. You'll fail miserably.

This newest breed of pop rock (which A fits squarely into) hasn't truly broken through yet to mainstream dominance. But efforts like Hi Fi Serious make it an issue of when, and not if, one of these great acts blows sky high and sells 10 million records. A's put out as worthy a candidate as you can find. Highly recommended.

(Note: American issues of Hi Fi Serious include a bonus track "Champions of Endings," a Jane's Addiction-inspired soarer that is absolutely brilliant. Make sure your copy has it.)

As I am the first reviewer and maybe the last I just want to say how well these boys have done to get here, they have worked so hard and created a brilliant album called hi-fi serious. The bigger fans like me would also know that they have 3 other albums. Monkey Kong, How Ace Are Buildings & a mini-live album called Exit Stage Right. Anyway from hi-fi serious I had only heard "Nothing" but knew I would love the album so I went out and brought it, I came home very impressed as there is a collection of pop, punk, metal & rock - same as the other albums. Hi-Fi Serious is their best album made in my opinion. Starbucks is set to be the new 1 releasing in may sometime. Best tracks are "Nothing" "Somethings Going On" Starbucks" Pacific Ocean Blue" & "Why Don't You Cry About It". I hope there is more reviewers like me that are very impressed by these 5 guys. (by the way Jason, Adam & Giles Perry lived in Suffolk for a few years - It's where I live :)

In south america, at least in Venezuela, we mostly listen to music from the US when it comes to rock and pop. That limits us from enjoying music from other sources where you can find all sorts sounds. That I realized while living in the UK for 3 years when I came across bands like Coldplay, Muse, Ash, Travis, The Darkness, and many more... but then I came across with a band called "A", which to my surprise has been neglegted even in their own native England. I bought their CD Hi-Fi serious after watching their video in MTV UK, an I can tell that these guys have talent, starting by their vocalist who's voice has traces of Sting with a more edgy sound. Get this CD and you won't regret it... and another thing the guys are taking out a new CD this spring... so be alert for good rock from the old country... don't forget to check out other brit bands like the veteran Catherine Wheel and Sundial

It takes something special to get me to praise an album but this is just that. I've been a fan of A for nearly 4 years, and considered "Monkey Kong" to be a strong album. This latest offering however is off the scale. When I first put this CD on, I was a bit concerned that they'd headed in a nu-metal direction with the loud, metallic guitar riff of "Nothing". I needn't have worried: beneath it was incredibly rich production, thick vocal harmonies, interesting keyboard sounds and samples and one of the tightest rhythm sections to be found in the alt/power-punk genre today. The CD then progresses through pop gems like "Something's Going On" and the bittersweet "Going Down" before hitting an extremely strong trio. "Starbucks" is brilliantly written with a sweet acoustic-style guitar part; "The Springs" breathes with lush melodies; and "Shut Yer Face" is fun, heavy and grooving. But wait - there's more. The next few songs are not the best on the album, but it's worth the wait for "Hi-Fi Serious" and the bonus track "Champion of Endings". The former is almost opus-like in it's construction, whilst the latter once again showcases the band's melodic instincts. Superb - possibly my favourite 21st century album...

It is a crime that A have not become international superstars. Every cd they released deserved international attention, but a lack of exposure prevented their success. Hi-Fi Serious is without a doubt one the best albums released this year.

A are a great UK band. Highly underrated. If only they would get airplay in the States they would go far. They're pretty big in UK and I'm sure the rest of the World will love them!

Well, the band is really missing in the US, and that's a big problem for a lot of fans of a good rock music.

A's music is professionally made, has a good memorable melody in every track, and is varied from pop-rock to almost nu-metal. Smartful lyrics add a lot, vocals have their own signature style (though at times may remind you of Sting of The Police times). These all give the guys a chance to be really successful on all continents, with no exclusion.

Nothing is one of their best songs ever, a serious hit; Starbucks would easily follow the leader. Going Down, Springs, Pacific Ocean Blue, Hi-Fi Serious, and other songs are all worth a listen, and shape perfectly the A's new album.

You only need to buy this.

It's very difficult to believe that the band A have not become international superstars. Perhaps it's a lack of exposure and publicity (although they have enjoyed a lot of success in the UK and Japan). Whatever the reason may be, it's unfortunate that more people haven't heard of this exceptional band. But enough about that.

Hi-Fi Serious is A's fourth album and it does not disappoint, delivering another set of energy-driven alternative/rock tunes. As the other reviewer has mentioned, the songs fall into the same category as their other albums. However, I would like to add that the songs on Hi-Fi Serious have a more refined and mature sound, showing how the band has grown during the years and even since their previous album Monkey Kong without sacrificing any of the musical energy which makes them as good as they are.

And if you decide to purchase Hi-Fi Serious, I would also recommend hunting down the CD-singles of "Nothing," parts 1 and 2 but especially part 1. Both versions of the single have CD-Rom videos/band clips as well as b-sides. But the real gem is a b-side titled "T-Shirt Money" which is found on part 1. I would argue with zero hesitation that this song is easily one of A's best, if not THE best. It will hook you the first time you hear it. Absolutely amazing song. And the single of "Starbucks" will also be released shortly and it looks like it has CD-Rom components and b-sides too. Be on the lookout for that.

So don't waste another moment. Buy Hi-Fi Serious now, because it is indeed seriously good.

This band is fantastic and they have grown from their first cd only to get better.The writting and playing on this cd is fantastic with cacthy guitar riffs.Even the track the band didnt want to put on here at first going down is great considering what happen in that time span.The standouts are something going on going down ,starbucks, pacific ocean blue,and the distance,but all the songs are stand outs no fillers here.And if you can fine it teen dance ordinance is great allso.I hope this review was helpfull to you

this is more of a "heads-up" rather than a review...the album listed only has 11 tracks and mine has 12...i noticed that the song "Nothing" is missing..and on my album its listed as track 1...so if you buy this and it only has 11 tracks ..something is wrong..."Nothing" was one of their more popular radio hits from this album and for it to not be included on this particular cd is odd