American Hi-Fi - The Art Of Losing (Island, 2003)

Why isn't "The Breakup Song" (not to be confused with Greg Kihn's beery-eyed anthem from two decades prior) #1 on the charts? With a radio-friendly hook and similarities to "Flavor Of The Weak" ('specially in the chorus) from its first album, A Hi-Fi's so-long-you're-gone statement should have spirited teens all 'round singing, "It's over/We're over/Just like in 'Crimson And Clover.'" But alas, the chances of that happening are equal to an ex-girlie returning borrowed music ("One more thing before you go/Would you please give me my records back?/My Bloody Valentine, the Pixies, Cheap Trick, and Back In Black"). The dude must've loaned her Trick's self-titled, because "Built For Speed" is shaped like Zander and friends' "He's A Whore." "Save Me" and "This Is Sound" suggest that the girl's hoarding a forgotten-about copy of Smashing Pumpkins' Gish. The title track cops some lyrical feels from the 'Mones and Kim Wilde, reminding both of the fun times in their relationship. Will the kids in America warm to American Hi-Fi's quality brand of above-ground pop-rock? Hey ho, let's hope so.