Advantages: Brilliant energy, Top songs, Only their first album
Disadvantages: I'm a fool stands out a mile as being very poor

...This is the great debut album from the Boston boys. This is great rock n roll music and great set-up. Although there are definitely some weak songs, there are also some very strong ones. I don't think that this album is quite what American Hi-Fi describe it as themselves, but it is definitely a good buy. It kind of sounds like the Foo Fighters would have done if Dave Grohl hadn't been in Nirvana. It's lacking something, but I'm sure this could be easily cured by experience. Surround; Flavor Of The Weak; A Bigger Mood; Safer On The Outside; I'm A Fool; Hi-Fi Killer; Blue Day; My Only Enemy; Don't Wait For The Sun; Another Perfect Day; Scar; What About Today; Wall Of Surround- this was a great choice to open up the album. Starts off with feedback and a mellow arpeggio riff, then leads into a cool post-grunge guitar riff... Read review

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Advantages: Sound Quality, Simplicity, Remote Control, Portable
Disadvantages: Weight, Flimsy Dock Connector

...few of them are able to be powered by batteries, so aren't portable. When I stumbled across the official Apple iPod HiFi on the on-line Apple Store, I was intrigued. It looked the BUSINESS, it took batteries and it was made by Apple, so probably had a good sound. At £200 it was a slight more expensive than a lot of other options, but I had confidence in Apple to put something together that would do my music justice. I couldn't find a local retailer with one in stock to have a listen to so it was something of a leap of faith. Weighing in at a hefty 8kg, it's a heavy old thing - heavier than I expected (not having read the small print on the website). This heaviness is not without reason though, it is extremely solid in its construction which means there's no rattling, and squeaking or unwanted flexing that would otherwise spoil... Read review

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Advantages: catchy tunes, smooth vocals, clean sounding songs
Disadvantages: a little to formulated.

...This is the first and self titled album from the american band American Hi-Fi. I bought this album after just hearing one the singles released from it; "flavour of the weak." When I fist heard this song I couldn't find out who it was by and every time I listened to it on the radio and became more obsessed about finding out who it was! That is how good it was. The sound of the 4 piece from boston is a mix between good old fashioned rock and roll, with a slght indie feel and maybe a slight bit of emo concerning the lyrics. If you were to compare them to any other bands you are probably looking at nickleback or muddle of mud. Although American Hi-Fi are a MUCH better version of these. But that is the style of "formulated" sounding songs that they write. The the lyrics through out most of the album are melodramatic and usually... Read review

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Advantages: Great looks, clear sound, good price
Disadvantages: Not very loud, short speaker cables

...I have just been out and purchased a small hi fi for my lounge. In days gone by, we had monsterous stacking hi fi systems but, as with all technology, things have shrunk and vastly improved in quality. The same goes for Aiwa Hi Fi equipment. Once upon a time, Aiwa was frowned on in the High Street. Known for its cheaper styles and even cheaper sound, it was one to steer clear of. However, this little beauty does a great job at a great price and looks out of this world. If you pop along to Ikea and look at most of the furniture, light wood is definitely in at the moment. Wheather it be light oaks or maples, it the surface that most cabinets come in. In fact, most of the little stereo systems in their demo rooms look very similar to the Aiwa XR-EM200 micro hi fi. This was one of the main selling points for me. The look... Read review

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Advantages: Powerful guitars and drum sound, great vocals
Disadvantages: Not quite reaching top level all the way through

...American Hi-Fi hit the world of pop/punk and rock ’n’ roll with the self-titled first album back in 2001. formed by Stacy Jones after he left Letter To Cleo (probably only known over here as the band playing on the rooftop at the end of the film “Ten Things I Hate About You”) to go his own way. While doing a reasonable amount of business in their native country, the band hails from Boston USA, they also struck it big over here with the albums stand out track – ‘Flavor of The Week’, a song written after seeing how a good friend of the bands was being treated by her ‘boyfriend’ through extensive play on Virgin, where I discovered it and the band, it finally charted in the top 40 here. Two years later the second album appeared amongst an enormous wave of….. well indifference and apathy, from record company and buyers alike! I loved... Read review

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Advantages: Raw, energetic sound brings the Hop&Grape to life
Disadvantages: With their poppy records this may be the lst time we see American Hi-fi outside an arena, loosing the atmostphere that was so vital tonight

...Sitting on the Steps on the Student Union, falling asleep on my friends, I wonder whether this gig is going to be upbeat enough to keep me awake. At 8:20pm, an hour after the doors opened the support act for American Hi-fi wander onto the tiny area that calls itself a stage at the Hop&Grape. The people around me murmur in confusion that they think the five figures on stage claim to be "Hell is for Heroes." You can tell from the confusion that I am not the only one that has never heard of this band before. However, they kick off with some up-tempo pop/punk riff that gets the crowd of average age 16 bouncing up and down on their little sweaty, stinky feet. The fact that nobody knew anything that was coming out of the amps or lead singer's mouth did not stop any of the kids from going mental. The pit opened up to engulf almost... Read review

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Advantages: The Distance
Disadvantages: Over too quickly

...Right well this is my third op on A and it brings me to the last album Hi-fi Serious. named after a Sketch on Steve Coogan’s cult comedy Serious Alan Partridge (You know the one he bought the Bang & Olufson CD player/sound system. Well he gets it from Hi-fi Serious the shop). Well the lads originally from Leeds found real success with this album and got the first decent chart position’s they have had but of course that doesn’t really mean much the way the charts are. Well A have now been around a while and this album was probably going to be make or break for them. However nothing can take away from the fact that A are a terrific Live band. I saw them at Reading Uni just after this album was released and they were superb. Of course this was the fourth time I had seen them but the first time they had played the new stuff. Just... Read review

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Advantages: An adventurous album
Disadvantages: Maybe a little diverse for some

...'New Adventures in Hi-Fi' is one of R.E.M.'s most under-rated albums. It was released in 1996, just two years after 'Monster' and hot on the heals of the ill-fated Monster World Tour, during which only Peter Buck was left physically untouched by serious illness. All of the material contained on New Adventures was written during that tour, recorded at sound checks, in back rooms, or simply prepared for studio recording. At the time I remember being pleasantly surprised that Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe had managed to release another album so quickly, and today I am equally as thankful - want to know why? Well, anyone who knows anything about me knows my obsession with R.E.M. I am an out and out fan of their distinctive style that owes a large amount to their college rock roots. (They all met in Athens, Georgia when they were studying... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing band and album
Disadvantages: Not much

...am a sky digital subscriber so I generally hear all of the new bands and songs on Kerrang TV. The same goes about A. The band A, have been going for a long time, longer than most people anticipate. A consists of Adam Perry - Drums and is The Yin, Daniel P.Carter - Bass and backing vocals, Giles Perry - Keyboards and backing vocals, Mark Chapman - Guitars, and Jason Perry - Vocals. As you can probable guess, three of the five members are brothers from London. Most people think that bands with brothers in don't work, but this one does. **Album cover** The front of the cover comprises of The A logo with the lines coming off it. On the left are the words "Hi-Fi Serious" wrote in red. In the middle is the band drew in black only. The background is mainly white with the ground at the bottom. On the rear of the cover... Read review

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Advantages: Very Informative, WILL help you make the right purchase
Disadvantages: Lots of adverts, price?

...I needed to get a new LCD TV and Home Cinema System. With no knowledge, I bought an issue of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision. This magazine contains articles and mini tests on everything, you guessed it "sound and vision". All the information and technical advice required to make my decisions easier was in the magazine. They review equipment for the average person right through to the "money no object" type (i'm the afore mentioned I hasten to add!). After 2 hours of reading (easy to understand) I was able to make a short list and road test at the local electrical stores my choices. The magazine suggested that you shop around (how many people dont) for deals.....I did and thanks to the magazine, I saved £250 on my 2 purchases. It is fair to say that a vast part of the magazine is a listing of "previous tests and review scores... Read review

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