Campfire Girls - Tell Them Hi

I always find it funny when I read a two page review on an album and it never tells me if it is any good or not. I find myself educated about a bands influences, their history, what the name of their third grade teachers were, and what they had for lunch, but starkly ignorant on the album itself. “They sound like a witches brew of the Smashing Pumpkins and Led Zeppelin with a splash of Altered Beast days Matthew Sweet.” Ok, three different artists referenced in one sentence but what does that mean? The Smashing Pumpkins had good songs, and not so good songs, so that doesn’t tell me anything about the quality of the album. Pretentious reviews telling me of the albums uncanny similarity to a random unknown indie band even the elite haven’t heard of just serves to make me feel like an idiot. So let me save my words and save the crap and suspense and make it simple for you… this album is good. Very good. Tell Them Hi is the second full-length from the Los Angeles band Campfire Girls. Let’s not kid ourselves here; this is straight rock/pop. Opening with “Junkman,” the album demands immediate attention, but it is the following “Someday” which stands out and Bruce Lee kicks you in the ear. It's a catchy, straight-up rocker that will have you jackrabbit the repeat button before the first chorus is over. “Day Before” showcases a bit of the bands songwriting and a dash of life experience. Finally, the acoustic “Tragic End” wraps up a stellar and well packaged sophomore effort from a band that famously fell into the rock star life after their debut. Drugs and partying came in the way of music after their first album, Delongpre, was released. Thankfully, the boys pulled it together and washed off any scare of a sophomore jinx with a solid and very enjoyable album. A mini mocumentary Enhanced CD feature provides great insight into the band. Jokingly recalling their rise and fall and rise again history, the band doesn’t take itself too seriously and that is why they are refreshing. Much like the mocumentary guest-starring Taylor Hawkins’ band Foo Fighters, Campfire Girls are doing nothing more than making good ole rock’n’roll and having fun, and it shines through from track one to album's end. [www.campfiregirlsmusic.com]