The O.C. Supertones

Item: Hi-Fi Revival
Author: Mark Baker

Hi-Fi Revival

(2002)

Reviewed by Mark Baker

Discogs Apple Music Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe Rebel Base2002

punk rap rock rock ska

With 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 experience with this in mind, I was actually surprised at a few things.

The Good Tunes

"Superfly" -

Kicking off the album with a bang, "Superfly" got my blood pumping on the very first listen. You know the kind of song that I'm talking about: it has the initial spunk that will keep the disc in your CD player for a week or so before it wears down and gets old. Lead singer Matt Morginsky's vocals are better than ever, especially in the chorus. His "in your face" ska growl has changed to more of a highly polished, intense party mix voice. Lyrically, "Superfly" explains the mission of the Supertones: to play upbeat music while lifting up the name of Jesus. They have the upbeat music part down. Their spiritual content on this song is at a Jr. High level at best, overly simplifying a Savior that is so much more than "rocking with Superfly."

"Brand New Thing" - "I feel my heart begin to change"

Going back to the Supertones' roots, "Brand New Thing," brings memories from some of the mellower numbers on Supertones Strike Back. Older fans will rejoice over the vocals and horn melodies that made the Supertones famous.

"Perfect Love" -

This pop love song for God doesn't do much for me lyrically, but hearing Matt's voice singing, "Love, love, love, I want perfect love," is good enough ear candy to get on my good music list.

"Welcome Home" -

Happy horn beats and Matt Morginsky's bouncy lyrics get this song stuck in my head often. "Welcome Home" dabbles in a swing element that is new to the Supertones. Although it worked well once, having swing as a permanent resident in the Supertones' music would be a grave mistake. By the time the track changes I'm always ready for more of the classic Supertones sound again, but bravo to the Supertones for branching out.

The Good Words

Granted, everything isn't appealing in "the good tunes." The Supertones have a history of being hopelessly repetitive. The majority of the ear candy that I've listed will deteriorate into a bunch of annoying songs once the original freshness goes away, which is why intricate lyrics are a vital part of music.

Generally, the music is the best aspect of Hi-Fi Revival. Lyrically, there are lots of Christian clichés. However, half of preaching is reiteration, and I've actually learned a few things by giving the CD an objective hearing. Next, I have a list of songs that have redeemable lyrics.

"Hold on to Jesus" - "the only gifts I give to you are rags and failures"

This somewhat slow ballad has some of the most passionate vocals on the CD. The title, in all its triteness, tells the story of the song, which encourages listeners to hold on to their Savior. The solemn trumpets add a worshipful experience. Matt Morginsky's lyrics humbly declare how low humans are compared to the glory of God.

"Let it Go" - "it's not worth the pain and the shame."

"Let it Go" pleads to an unknown friend to give up sins to God. It's more the idea of discipleship that appeals to me most on this song. Morginsky sings about all the reasons why this person should finally give up the sins that are so destructive, and to finally open up to him. It illustrates the truth of the healing that comes from accountability.

"Fire" - "God's word is true and men are liars"

This is a weird song, because I really hate the repeated yelling of "fire, yeah" throughout the song, but one line, "God's word is true and men are liars," really stood out to me. Even though this is a fairly simple concept from the Bible, it still meant a lot to me because of where I am right now. So if this little lyric can mean something to me in the worst song on the album, then some of the other hackneyed statements could stand out to anyone else as well.

"Birth of Uncool" - "time is way too precious to spend it being cool"

Perhaps this is one of the worst song names in the history of contemporary Christian music. I will ignore it because in view of the audience of this album, teenagers, it's nice for them to get some affirmation that it's okay not to be cool.

"Radio Plays" - "the radio plays a whole lot of nothing"

"All day long I hear the same five songs, and the words go 'blah blah blah.'" Unfortunately, this can be put to Christian radio too, especially my local station that seems to think that listeners want to hear the same songs for months at a time. But the overall message of "Radio Plays" is important for casual listeners who don't really care what songs are about. More and more people listen to music just because of cool sounds, which means that artists could literally say, "blah blah blah" all day long and no one would care. "Radio Plays" encourages listeners to put some thought to what goes into their heads.

Blah Blah Blah

Now, we have some more songs with little redeeming qualities whatsoever.

"Go Go Go" -

This is the song full of contradictions. First, they say they are followers of Jesus even though they know they "can't say [Jesus] on the radio," but in reality, "Go Go Go" is built to be successful on Christian radio. Second, the Supertones say, "We don't want it soft, we don't like it slow," when they just came off a slow song, "Hold on to Jesus," which is one of their best. I personally liked it better slow. Lastly, it's a sure sign of unbelievable repetition when even the title of the song is repetitive. Just wait till you actually hear how repetitive "Go Go Go" can get.

"Forever"

This song should be renamed to "let's fit as many clichés into this song as humanly possible." To name a few: "Jesus truly loves me," "He's my Savior and my Friend," "With God all things are possible," "God has no beginning," and of course, "God's love is forever."

"Attitude"

Starting off annoying with an echo following each line, "Attitude" is just a plain worthless song. The "laughing" effect and the voice squeaking "Supertones! Supertones!" make this song utterly worthless. The album would be better off without the "Attitude."

"Glory Hallelujah"

"Glory Hallelujah" is a failed attempt to go back to more of the Supertones' ska roots. It reminds me of some of the worst songs on a previous album of theirs, Chase the Sun. Another thing that ticks me off is prolonged endings of bad songs, and just when I thought this song was over, they brought it back with a little "personal good-bye" that is a sure turnoff.

Album summary:

Good songs - "Hold on to Jesus", "Superfly", "Let it Go"

Bad songs - "Attitude", "Fire", "Glory Hallelujah"

Complete song list: 1. Superfly 2. Brand New Thing 3. Welcome Home 4. Hold on to Jesus 5. Go Go Go 6. Let it Go 7. Just a Man 8. Attitude 9. Perfect Love 10. Fire 11. Birth of Uncool 12. Go Your Way 13. Radio Plays 14. Forever 15. Glory Hallelujah

Websites: www.toothandnail.com, www.supertones.com

Final Word: If party tunes are your fancy, dig in. Contemplative listeners look elsewhere.

Mark's Score: 3/5