American Hi-Fi singer Stacy Jones knows that the real cost of a failed relationship isn't the risk of eternal loneliness, but the possibility of losing your favorite CDs. "One more thing before you go / Would you please gi... more »ve my records back / My Bloody Valentine, the Pixies, Cheap Trick, and Back in Black," the former Veruca Salt drummer desperately imparts to his ex in "The Breakup Song." No doubt, these are hallowed objects to the doe-eyed frontman. American Hi-Fi's second release is a virtual tribute to Jones's modern-rock record collection, mining everyone from Sonic Youth ("Teenage Alien Nation") to Bow Wow Wow ("The Art of Losing") to Oasis ("This Is the Sound") while preserving American Hi-Fi's own endearing pop-punk identity. With producer Nick Launay, the band reins in the prankishness of its self-titled debut, which launched the hit "Flavor of the Weak," and makes a determined bid to walk among its idols. --Aidin Vaziri« less
American Hi-Fi singer Stacy Jones knows that the real cost of a failed relationship isn't the risk of eternal loneliness, but the possibility of losing your favorite CDs. "One more thing before you go / Would you please give my records back / My Bloody Valentine, the Pixies, Cheap Trick, and Back in Black," the former Veruca Salt drummer desperately imparts to his ex in "The Breakup Song." No doubt, these are hallowed objects to the doe-eyed frontman. American Hi-Fi's second release is a virtual tribute to Jones's modern-rock record collection, mining everyone from Sonic Youth ("Teenage Alien Nation") to Bow Wow Wow ("The Art of Losing") to Oasis ("This Is the Sound") while preserving American Hi-Fi's own endearing pop-punk identity. With producer Nick Launay, the band reins in the prankishness of its self-titled debut, which launched the hit "Flavor of the Weak," and makes a determined bid to walk among its idols. --Aidin Vaziri
D. Christen | Rushville, IN United States | 08/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I used to dismiss American Hi-Fi as one of those radio-friendly-so-called-post-nirvana-alternative bands - boy I was wrong ! On 'The art of Losing' these guys put out 11 brilliant rock song with a razor sharp edge. There is no filler material and the album clocks in at a bit under 37 minutes - which is great. Why should they spoil a perfect album with mediocre songs just to add a bit of play time ? My favorite tracks are 'The Art of Losing' (which reminds me a bit of Adam and the Ants with the double drums in the beginning), the massive 'Breakup Song' which is followed by the fantastic 'Beautiful Disaster'. My absolute favorite is 'Built for Speed'. I just kept playing this album over and over again after I have purchased it and I am still not the slightest bit tired of these 11 tracks. This is a must buy !"
An interesting sophomore effort
dramacomic | Arlington, VA United States | 04/21/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"American Hi-Fi released a very poignant, versatile, and emotionally charged rock debut, which spawned a fairly successful single with "Flavor of the Weak", as well as less successful, but better quality singles "Another Perfect Day" and "Safer on the Outside".With The Art of Losing, they lost nearly all of their emotional depth. However, what they have managed to muster is an album that is a lot more fun to listen to. The first three tracks focused around the theme of breaking up (hence "The Art of Losing", "Breakup Song", and "Beautiful Disaster"), and they move with reckless abandon through crunchy and happy-go-lucky riffs and rhymes. They continue this pace for most of the album - notably in the beautiful disaster of a track called "Nothing Left to Lose", with about the same levels of fun and yet fakeness that seems to borrow from Good Charlotte.Yet in the second half of the album, once you get past the bubble gum, they seem to pick up where they left from the debut. "Rise", screams aside, is a solid offering, followed by a nice change of pace with "This Is the Sound". The two closing tracks "Built For Speed" and "Happy" definitely leave me glad to have purchased the album, despite its imperfections. I think that this album would make for a much more entertaining live show than its predecessor, but the quality of the lyrics did take a slight dip."
Summertime here we come!
Thornton F. Cole | Chicago or an airport near you | 03/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The proverbial sophomore slump isn't something you need to worry about with American Hi-Fi's "The Art of Losing". From the opening strains of the title track replete with it's modern nod to Adam and the Ants and Kim Wilde, you know you are gonna' get rocked. "The Breakup Song" and "Nothing Left to Lose" feel like Green Day meets Nirvana. "Teenage Alien Nation" throbs from the first note. Not a clunker on this release. It is an absolutely dash-pounding, fist-thumping, lighter-flicking summertime classic. Five big stars. If you liked the sound of their stellar debut, you will absolutely want to pound your head when you hear this one. Amaaaaaaaaaaazing."
Losing? Not These Guys
Sarah | Seattle, WA USA | 09/27/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I first heard American Hi-Fi and their popular debut single "Flavor of the Week", I assumed they were just another bubble gum "punk" band manufactured to sell records. But I was very suprised when about a year and a half later, they came out with their new album, "The Art Of Losing" which turned out to be a raw, razor sharp creation of 11 great tracks. With songs like "Rise", "Teenage Alien Nation", and "Nothing Left To Lose", they show their talent, drive, and pure love of the punk genre. The screaming yet tender vocals of lead singer Stacy Jones matched with the awesome guitar riffs of Drew Parsons and Jamie Arentzen along with the rocking drum beats of Brian Nolan put together an awesome (but not completely original) sound, and tracks like "Art of Losing" (which reminds me of one fantastic beer commercial) and one of my personal favorites, "Built For Speed" make this a great album on all accounts. As I said before, their sound is not completely original, and a few of the tracks begin to sound the same after awhile. But none the less, after a short hiatus, American Hi-Fi is back, and we couldn't be happier about it."
Phenomenal Second Album
Matt | 03/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No need to fear the sophomore slump here. As terrific as American Hi-Fi's debut was, the follow-up (not counting a live Japan-only release) is even better. With a harder edge, the album really shows Stacy Jones and company developing into a major rock force to be reckoned with. It's pretty impossible to get that title track out of your head, but the other tracks on here all are equally satisfying, with "Beautiful Disaster" and "The Breakup Song" being among the standouts. Given what's going on here, it's a safe bet that I'll be first on line to buy whatever AHF releases in the future."