Releasing your first album five years after your last release can be a little bit daunting, especially when you formed in 1998 and things in the music industry have changed a lot. However, power pop-rockers American Hi-Fi have taken the release of ‘Blood & Lemonade’ in their stride. Their first album since 2010’s ‘Fight the Frequency’, this Massachusetts quartet have spent the last five years on a semi-hiatus, taking time out to gather and collect their ideas before coming together again to create ‘Blood & Lemonade’. Recorded at vocalist Stacy Jones’ own studio, the album was released via independent label, Rude Records.
Jones says that the album is a return to big guitar music and if opening track ‘Armageddon Days’ is anything to go by, then he’s on the right tracks; slick riffs and his robust vocals raise this opening track and ensure that the album is off to a rather flying start. Big, crunching riffs continue throughout the album, alongside a full-throttle punch of sonic power, as demonstrated during songs like ‘Wake Me Up’ and single ‘Golden State’. ‘Amnesia’ is a stomping, fun, rock n’ roll track but unfortunately lacks that killer chorus to really crank it up a notch.
Strong, powerful vocals compliment the killer riffs found during ‘Carry the Sorrow’, while ‘Portland’ is a rather poignant track, with lyrics such as “It’s been a long, long year / and I feel like coming home / but I’ve got no place to go”. It’s a rather hard-hitting track, but one that’s done with beauty and passion. Bouncy hooks and catchy melodies give the album one last push during ‘No Ordinary Life’, capturing the band’s rather easy-going vibe.
‘Blood & Lemonade’ seems like it’s the perfect soundtrack to every teen’s angst ridden life, but it’s an album that’s chock full of storming rock anthems that are still easy on the ears, monster riffs and soaring vocals. American Hi-Fi have certainly returned with this good, old-fashioned power pop album, but it’s nothing spectacular, despite how fun it is to listen to. Some songs just seem to fall short, and need beefing up with a huge chorus here and chunky riffs there. Still, it’s a rather solid effort from the guys after the break that they’ve had – next time, they just need to break out of their comfort zone.
JESS TAGLIANI