American Hi-Fi’s Fight the Frequency
(on Hi-fi Killers / The Ascot Club)

By Bruce Sullivan

Many summers have passed since the days when J. Geils, Aerosmith, Boston, and The Cars ruled the musical landscape, and the great state of Massachusetts served as a rock-n-roll Mecca. Those longing for a relevant, radio-friendly rock CD from a local band don’t have long to wait. On August 17th, American Hi-Fi, will breathe life back into our fossilized music scene with the release of Fight the Frequency, a recording which sounds like a modern blending of rock DNA from Cheap Trick and The Clash.

American Hi-Fi is lead by singer/guitarist Stacy Jones, with Drew Parsons on bass, Jamie Arentzen on guitar, and Brian Nolan on drums. Famous for the infectious hits “Flavor of the Weak” (video set here in Worcester) and “Another Perfect Day,” the band is finally set to release the long awaited follow-up to 2005’s punk influenced, near-miss Hearts on Parade. Now, American Hi-Fi is back with a tasty, mainstream rock album, with more hooks than your Dad’s tackle box. Fight The Frequency, set for release on the band’s own label, delivers on the band’s early promise.

From the opening power chords of the catchy title track “Fight the Frequency,” a clever guitar rock song about pirate satellite radio taking over the airwaves, a confident American Hi-Fi announces that they have arrived. Stacy Jones belts, “This is our time to shine; I feel like breaking free,” and we believe him.

This CD is mainstream guitar rock with just the right amount of punk attitude. Highlights include the pessimistic rocker “This is a Low,” with the compelling chorus “We carry the weight of a million skies; with every revolution a little something dies,” and “Where Love is a Lie,” a universal lament of lost love, which builds from acoustic whisper into powerful soaring harmonies. Jones and company break from the pack with intelligent lyrical imagery: “It’s too late; love’s in the past, burned out with your last cigarette.” “Acetate” is a happy slice of power pop with a chorus so catchy that it kicks off the song. “Lost,” the album’s first single, is a hopeful declaration of survival with a memorable chorus and radio friendly production. “Bullet,” an impressive Foo Fighters-esque rocker, shows off the band’s high octane rhythm section. The CD closes on a high note with the epic “Tiny Spark,” complete with false ending and a chorus of layered guitars.

Not since The Cars’ debut release has a homegrown band dropped an album with as many radio-ready power pop tracks. American Hi-Fi may not be able to single handedly resurrect a time when our state ruled the airwaves, but for those who have waited patiently for the next great release by a Massachusetts rock band, the wait is over.

www.americanhi-fi.com
www.myspace.com/americanhifi

Girl in a Coma’s
Adventures In Coverland

By Tom Cadrin

The San Antonio Spanish-handed punk rock band Girl In A Coma recently released a compilation of covers eloquently dubbed Adventures In Coverland. With this release, the all-female power trio gets back to their roots, covering those songs that were most influential during their youth. Sold in three installments on vinyl and digital release, GIAC debuted one song a week during their Spring 2010 tour. When placed together, the artwork of the vinyl packaging forms a board game allowing the listener some visual accompaniment to the fully realized, 7 song ride. GIAC found and extracted the true meanings of these songs while taking some artistic freedoms, making each cover truly unique and wholly their own.

To name just a few songs, Adventures In Coverland begins bravely with The Beatles’ classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”  Nina Diaz (vocals/guitar) wails out a vocal performance that would make even the most die-hard George Harrison fan perk up. As a reduced version of the original, this opener loses none of its strength or depth and begins this adventure on a shimmering leg. Next, GIAC buffs out The Velvet Underground classic “Femme Fatale,” applying a sheen that one may have felt was missing from the original Lo-Fi recording. On we go to Patsy Cline’s unforgettable “Walkin’ After Midnight,” where the punk rock comes in. Again, Diaz’s vocals retain a brilliant vibrato, reminiscent of Cline herself. But with just enough rasp to give an overall punch to the track, there’s nothing folksy here.

The album throughout, Nina displays her understanding that all songs must be coherent thoughts. “I took a song, I rearranged it and I brought it to the girls and they put on their parts so it turned out to be ours.” It is safe to say that with this release, Girl in a Coma are solidifying a fantastic showing of their own adventure.

Find more information on Girl In A Coma at
www.girlinacoma.com.

Lori Diamond’s Mystery

By Paul Maher, Jr.

There’s a new vice on the horizon, and it goes by the name of  Lori Diamond.  One listen to her and her rare talent for bridging sentiment with angst and you’ll be mainlining Sphinxian riddles straight into the joy switch in no time. These songs respectively cut a facet of precision conveying Diamond’s impressionistic, lush piano playing coupled with honey-coated vocal stylings. Heaven must be near; or is it sex on legs, the feminine presence divine fills your living room, or your car, or your headphones . . . it made me go to her web site to see what she looks like, and there she is, too respectable looking to match the voice that offers up knee-weakening soul-ballads that may just be responsible for long afternoons of lovin’.

Let Lori bring it on to house and hearth, her songs are homewreckers ~ torrid, sexy and elegantly subtle, perhaps akin to the seductive charms of the mythical Sirens. She is also an amalgam of the best of female musical talent this century and the last has had to offer ~ Watch her! She’s about to get big and when she does, you’ll be able to proudly say you’ve been listening to her from the start.

Mystery rolls along the span of the keyboard, as Lori swims the chords with her acrobatic vocal skills accompanied by her understated playing. “Sorry” promises safe passage from the affairs of the unmapped, when wrong decisions calls for wrong choices, and forgiveness is the last remaining hope that ties all mankind together. “Alone” conjures Joni Mitchell from her 1970s heyday, fragile as a bird’s wing, gentle as a child, quiet as an ocean storm far out at sea. “Life Provides” is another winner, its ambient textures embellishing Diamond’s lyrical delivery.

Diamond’s newest (and second) release is available on her web site at www.loridiamond.net, where you can also hear samples before purchase.

Stay cool.

Sevendust’s
Cold Day Memory CD / DVD (7Bros / Asylum)

By Bruce Sullivan

Something strange and wondrous happens as I pop Cold Day Memory, the 8th album by Sevendust, into my car stereo. As the adrenaline-fueled alternative metal pumps through my speakers, the sleeves of my t-shirt become tighter,  my previously unimpressive biceps become stronger, and my 6 cylinder Mustang becomes a 500 HP GT. At the gym, I am able to out-lift and out-run that obnoxious muscle head, Kyle. I’m sure Chuck Norris must listen to Sevendust prior to kicking guys’ asses.

Cold Day Memory, produced by Johnny K (Disturbed, Staind) marks a strong return to form for Sevendust, as well as the return of guitarist Clint Lowery, who steps in after a six year absence to complete the original line-up. Lowery’s studio presence inspires the band to push themselves to new musical heights, all of which is documented on the accompanying Making of DVD.

The record is a true creative collaboration as each band member contributed to the writing process. Lyrically, this approach creates a kind of collage effect. Rather than one cohesive message emanating from a single voice, songs are lyrical mixtures with sometimes competing messages but similar themes. However, the pros of this writing process far outweigh the cons; musically, Sevendust explores places they have never been.

Fans who appreciate Sevendust’s explosive rhythms, interesting chord progressions, and melodic textures will love this new record. While many bands have mastered the scream and growl of this genre, it is Sevendust’s melodic power and vocal harmonies which separate them from the crowded pack. Lajon Witherspoon’s powerful, dynamic vocal range allows this band to explore a multitude of emotions while their counterparts are often limited to anger.

Standout tracks include the top ten hit “Unraveling” and the lyrically haunting Last Breath: “I’ll take my last breath now; I hope I find my way.” The hopeful track, “Confessions,” features impressive solo work by guitarists Conolly and Lowery, while the anthemic “Better Place” showcases Witherspoon’s soaring vocals.

Warning: Cold Day Memory has the power to transform. Anyone hoping to remain a pale, skinny victim who often gets sand kicked in his face should avoid this recording. For all others, the album is available at your favorite music retailer, or by visiting Sevendust online at sevendust.com or myspace.com/sevendust.