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American Hi-Fi will release Hearts on Parade on March 1st. The Boston rockers' third studio album, and the follow-up to 2003's The Art of Losing, features a more polished sound.
"We leaned more towards the pop edge of things: cleaner guitars, groovier rhythms, and we actually got Stacy [frontman Jones] not to curse," posts bassist Drew Parsons on the band's Web site.
The album was produced by Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, Bowling for Soup), who also played on the record. "They made a very reflective, intelligent record," says Walker. "We're all so over modern rock because it's in such a bad state right now. It was more challenging to make a really cool pop record. They drew from all their influences -- like ELO, Squeeze, the Clash -- and we made an amazing record together."
Currently touring as Walker's backing band on the Avril Lavigne tour, American Hi-Fi will rejoin Walker for a thoroughly integrated club tour in December. "They're playing first, and I'll go out and play some keyboards with them," says Walker. "Then I'll come up front, and Stacy will get behind the drums and back me for the rest of the night. We don't really have a break in the set -- it's like one long show."
American Hi-Fi and Butch Walker tour dates:
12/4: Raleigh, NC, Lincoln Theater
12/5: Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
12/6: New York, Bowery Ballroom
12/7: Boston, Paradise
12/9: Philadelphia, North Star
12/10: Pittsburgh, Mr. Smalls
12/11: Detroit, Shelter
12/18: Atlanta, Variety
12/19: Orlando, FL, Social
12/20: Athens, GA, 40 Watt