A year later the band followed suit with a self-titled album, which saw it crisscrossing from Clash-styled guitar-heavy numbers to slower, yet gritty tunes in the vane of pop-punk act, Jimmy Eat World. Packed with raw angst and intelligent, mature moments, the euphonious 2001 release reached out to teenage punkers and adult rock fans alike.
While a live album, recorded in Tokyo and released last year, captured the band at its rawest and finest, for a studio encore, American Hi-Fi's latest album, The Art of Losing sadly sees the Boston rockers dropping down a gear or two.
From the opening tune, the albums' title track, guitarist/vocalist, Stacy Jones does his best to knock out some corking riffs and hooks. And indeed on the surface The Art of Losing appears to be a neat little package with some great guitar driven material. Underneath, however, there is something amiss.
It appears the combo has simply set the cruise controller. Same-same tunes humming with the band's rock/punk guitar sound and smart catchy choruses are not what make this album such a waste of time, though. It's American Hi-Fi's apparent reluctance to grow, both musically and lyrically.
Bobin and the Mantra
Soul Rhythm
TCM
Formed in 1999, the four-piece combo, two of whom hail from Japan and two from Nepal, the band took the catchy name of Bobin and the Mantra a year later. After releasing a couple of albums in Japan the quartet came to Taiwan in July last year and made its Taiwan debuting at the Ho-Hai-Yan Indie Taiwan Rock Festival (
Released earlier this month, Soul Rhythm is Bobin and the Mantra's debut release by Taiwan Colors Music.
While much of the album is rooted heavily in reggae with the occasional Lennon and McCartney styled hook, riff and sitar thrown in for good measure, the four-piece combo is never short on surprises. With gospel, soul, new age, and a couple of Tom Waits moments, it all adds up to some very original, well-produced and melodic music.
The album's highlights are too numerous to list, but they include the psychedelia-soaked Clap Song, the reggae-tinged Soul Rhythm and the almost acid jazz styled instrumental, Suldyo. And even though the constant guitar riff that buzzes throughout Dhamma sounds a lot like a George Michael tune that will remain nameless, the seven minute mild dance number still hits all the right spots.
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