Bones in the Attic, Flowers in the Basement by American High

American High is the name of a Pop Rock quartet from Sacramento featuring D.T.(rhythm guitar), E.S.(lead guitar), F.M. (Bass) and T.M. (drums) and their new CD, Bones in the  Attic, Flowers in the Basement, was produced by the band and recorded and mixed by Joe Johnson.

My first impression of American High is that this band is real young. They have adolescent voices and the music is certainly aimed at those kids who grew up with Blink 182 and Greenday.  It's not Punk but has that snotty, punk kid quality like those 90s bands. Actually, I suppose it wouldn't be aimed at those original Blink 182, Weezer, or Greenday fans as they're pushing thirty these days. This CD is a next gen trying to keep that particular sub-genre alive.

Hear Bones in the  Attic, Flowers in the Basement HERE.

According to their press kit:

"We think songs are more interesting when they can be seen in different ways.  We shun the tired INTRO-CHORUS-INTRO-CHORUS-LEAD-CHORUS-EXIT blueprint. We prefer freeform songs."

I don't know what they're talking about as most of the songs on the CD are in the Pop Rock "hit" record mode. Nothing new here except maybe the musicians themselves. The fact that they've elected not to identify themselves by name and the only photo available doesn't show the band clearly makes me wonder if this isn't actually another producer project that someone is trying to pass off as a new, young (real) indie band. Why not exploit the fact you're young and cut yourself some slack? Even junior high school kids can afford to buy a guitar tuner (if they can afford to buy guitars and amps), so why such a rough sound unless that medium is the message? What gives this away as something that is perhaps somewhat less than completely sincere is that the musicianship is tight. When you've put so much obvious effort into the playing and sound quality the oft kilter guitar solos and amateurish vocals seem less inexperience than a deliberate marketing decision.

American High's CD's back cover.

 

If this recording is an honest representation of what a new, young band sounds like live (and there is no mention of them having live shows), then kudos to them, it's a decent Punk Pop record. But if it is a sixty year old producer trying to sell "the new sound" to "the kids", well, kudos to you too, What the hell. Go for it.

A band photo. Really? Maybe there are more on their Facebook page HERE.

What really matters here is that this is a collection of mostly upbeat (even the slow tunes), energetic and enthusiastic songs that I could see helping you get through your day in Shop Class or Home Ec or at the Mall if you're the type to cut class. Actually, this music is especially for the type to cut class. In fact, if I were the manager of American High I would send out copies of Bones in the  Attic, Flowers in the Basement to every Hot Topic in the country and try to get them to give it some in-store play. I bet it wouldn't be too difficult.