Flavor of the week, what once was, and what could have been

I think American Hi-Fi’s self-titled album is a woefully underappreciated work of sonic alternative art. Its 1 part Foo Fighters (with a drummer-turned-band leader crafting post-grunge tunes), 2 parts Smashing Pumpkins (listen to the guitars, the structure of the breakdowns) and 1 part pop rock, like Lit with an edge. If this album came out in 1995, we’d remember it as a classic alternative staple. Alas, Hi-Fi hit it big just this side of the millennium mark (behind the still catchy “Flavor of the Week” single) and will forever be known as a band that drifted in on the back end of a wave long since past. Like Puddle of Mud, they’re still at it (a new album is due out this year) but I can’t help but wonder what might have been.

Meanwhile, Frank’s played two Hi-Fi songs in the last ten minutes. So for now, I’ll bask in their 2001 nostalgia.

“I still believe it when you say, it’s another perfect day…”