Music Under Fire

The comparisons are very similar: The overhypedness, mass appeal and singing styles are analogous. Although nobody wants to be compared to Smashmouth these days after they reached their peak with Astro Lounge five years ago, only to save themselves with a rip-off single, "I'm A Believer". Smashmouth's previous success is an unusual one, yet one that no longer lingers. The band, dwelling from San Jose, CA, released their last album Summer Girl in 2006, and that's all that's been heard of since. Not only is their website outdated, but there's been no talk about what had been gabbed about two years ago, Old Habits, which was slated to be a possible release late this year after being pushed aside years prior to release their Greatest Hits.

Okay, so who cares about Smashmouth, right? It may seem like a bit of a phenomenon in the UK, but Hard-Fi has been doing quite well for themselves. With three singles in the top 15 on the UK charts with their latest album, Hard-Fi is saturating the pop-rock music market overseas. Just like Smashmouth did in the US.

So, they have found great success, and I enjoy many of their songs, particularly, "Suburban Knights", although purely for the hype factor. If I'm falling asleep in the car, either this or "Gotta Reason" from their Stars of CCTV album may work for me. But songs such as "Cash Machine" drive me bannas. Not only is the song formatted for such a glamorous destination on the radio, but their style is nothing I haven't seen before. Just like Smashmouth, there was a time when everyone liked "All-Star", whether you were at a summer fair, at a sporting event or watching a movie, the song had its place. Hard-Fi worked themselves into the same spot Smashmouth put themselves into. Their music will surely bring fame, but at a cost of oversaturating the market with the same thing again and again and eventually tiring their listeners out.

I can't talk trash on Once Upon A Time In The West because it does bring back those poppy memories I used to get sucked into, and it hasn't died yet to me, but let's wait another couple years to see what happens. I see the same outcome happening here.