The new Supertones CD is not Ska, but then again, purists might well question if this Orange County, CA band was ever truly Ska in the first place. If Hi-Fi Revival is any kind of a musical revival at all, it's a reinterpretation of classic horn-drenched '60s soul, colored by modern hip-hop, rock and R&B elements. Not to get too overly historical about it all, but Ska and Reggae was invented by Jamaicans who were trying to present their own unique Island take on the Motown and Stax sounds they heard coming over the waters from the States, so Ska has been a slightly odd looking soul offspring from the very beginning.
Some of the songs on this new album are also filtered through a few '80s Brit icons, which give the disc a flavor all its own. "Brand New Thing" and "Go Go Go" sound like they were left off of Elvis Costello's Get Happy release, while "Welcome Home" could have easily fit along side some of The Jam's Cockney Motown vibes from its The Gift release. Such second-hand inspirations shouldn't come as any great surprise, though, since both Paul Weller and Costello love some of the very same artists that now influence the 'Tones. Then again, there is a track like "Attitude," which — with its call and response vocals — is closer to something Bo Diddley might have recorded and is distinctly out of place in this context.
Lyrically, The Supertones once again come off as encouragers and worshipers ("Hold Onto Jesus"), for the most part. Nevertheless, a little frustration with radio's unwillingness to play overtly Christ-centered music enters into the overall equation — notably on both "Go Go Go" and "Radio Plays."
Rest assured skankers: The O.C. Supertones aren't candidates for revival of any sort, as Hi-Fi Revival finds these West Coasters still alive and well.
Editors' ratings — Doug 2.5/5, David 2/5
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2002Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksAfter a few so-so albums searching for that successful post-ska formula the Supertones have finally found it. Hi-Fi Revival is a mix of rock, punk and a softer version of the rap-rock hybrid, with some brass thrown in for good measure. The album is solid and the production is tight. Definitely worth a listen, especially if you haven't liked the Supertones' last fast few albums.The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Josh HurstThere is a time and a place for in-your-face obnoxiousness. Pep rallies, for example. Or political campaigns. Or cheesy TV commercials. Unless you're cheering at a football game, running for office, or trying to sell soda, though, the high-energy sonic bubblegum of the Orange County Supertones is moderately amusing, at best. The Supertones' latest record, Hi-Fi Revival, is yet another…The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Mark BakerWith a name like Hi-Fi Revival, and songs called "Hold on to Jesus," "Perfect Love," and "Birth of Uncool," the Supertones' fifth LP was looking like a sure fire youth group album before I even heard the first song. Let me say first thing: it is. It looks like the Supertones filled the Christian music mold perfectly with few exceptions on their latest project. But entering into the listening…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Josh McConnellThe O.C. Supertones have reunited once again this year for their second release of 2002, Hi-Fi Revival, and it is a fairly good release at that. Hi-Fi Revival starts things off with the upbeat track they used for their new video, Superfly, and then moves on to the slower track "Brand New Thing." The tempo keeps changing like that throughout the rest of the album, from ballads (IE: "Go, Go, Go")…Similar sounding releases
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