Iconic Australian band You Am I is gearing up to mark a significant milestone, as their critically acclaimed second album, ‘Hi Fi Way’, turns 30 on February 20.
You Am I’s ‘Hi Fi Daily Double Down; Tour will celebrate this milestone, kicking off in Canberra at UC Refectory on April 3, followed by two shows at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on April 4 and 5, before heading to Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Newcastle, with the band playing both ‘Hi Fi Way’ and ‘Hourly Daily’ in full.
The ‘Hi Fi Way’ re-issue is available to pre-order now, with an exclusive blue vinyl 30th anniversary edition record, digital packages, exclusive ticket and album bundles, and more. It will be released on February 20 via Sony Music Australia – pre-order HERE.
As Richard Kingsmill reveals on his podcast ‘HI FI WAY: THE MAKING OF YOU AM I’, the band, when faced with the challenges of the infamous second album syndrome, simply threw away the rule book.
They imposed insane deadlines on themselves. They had scraps of song ideas just a few weeks before recording was due to start. They were a long way from home and had been for the longest of times. Near to exhaustion, after their most manic year so far, they decided to roll the dice.
The adrenalin You Am I were running off across 1994 fuelled the magic behind ‘Hi Fi Way’. The band captured bolts of lightning on the 14-song album that 30 years on still bring a sense of wonder.
‘Hi Fi Way’ is no ordinary album. There are worlds within worlds on this record. It’s an album that was largely created from the subconscious, mining some dark thoughts that only today make some sort of sense. Featuring tracks such Purple Sneakers, Cathy’s Clown, Jewels and Bullets, and How Much Is Enough, the album debuted at No 1 and as Kingsmill notes, constantly makes great Australian album lists.
‘Hi Fi Way’ marks a pivotal moment in the trajectory of You Am I. Produced by Lee Ranaldo, who also co-produced the band’s debut album ‘Sound As Ever’, ‘Hi Fi Way’ is the first of their 3 consecutive albums to debut at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, a feat not achieved by any Australian band prior.
Australian music journalist Ian McFarlane described the album, which “remains one of the finest Australian albums of the 1990s. Full of audacious, incisive and tuneful rock’n’roll it made its debut at #1 on the mainstream national chart …”
With ‘Hi Fi Way’, Rolling Stone Australia said You Am I created “a perfect balance between grunge and pop”, awarding it 5 stars. Juice Magazine also bestowed a 5 star review on the album.
AllMusic noted it was “a stunning leap forward” with a 4 and a half star review, and NME acknowledged the sheer vitality of the record, calling it “a breath of fresh air”.
As music journalist Steve Bell expressed so succinctly in The Music, “at the end of the day, fans and critics adore ‘Hi Fi Way’ and shout its importance from the rooftops.”
Hi-Fi Way key stats:
– ARIA Awards, 1995 – Best Adult Alternative Album
– Certified GOLD status by ARIA (35,000 plus)
– The album’s 3 official singles – Cathy’s Clown, Jewels And Bullets, and Purple Sneakers all made triple j’s Hottest 100 list of 1995
– #8 in 2010 book The 100 Best Australian Albums (O’Donnell, Creswell, Mathieson) – described by the authors as “a textured, immediate pop record that delves through layers of memories, looking back to consider the past even as it makes sober judgements for the future.”
– #4 in The Age’s 2008 poll ‘50 Best Australian Albums Of All Time’
– #8 in Juice Magazine’s 2003 poll ‘50 Best Australian Albums Of All Time’
– #35 in triple j’s 2011 poll ‘Hottest 100 Australian Albums Of All Time’
Since its February 1995 release, ‘Hi Fi Way’ has remained a fan-favourite album, with a significant influence on the Australian music landscape, and has cemented Tim Rogers’ reputation as one of Australia’s great storytellers. 30 years on, ‘Hi Fi Way’ remains as compelling as ever.
‘Hi Fi Way’ 30th Anniversary Edition will be released on February 20 via Sony Music Australia – PRE-ORDER HERE
You Am I’s ‘Hi Fi Daily Double Down’ Tour
Fans can register for pre-sale tickets from 9am today, with the pre-sale commencing on Tuesday, February 18 at 9am in an exclusive 48-hour window.
Tickets on sale Thursday February 20 at 9am – head to youami.com.au
Thursday 3 APRIL – UC Refectory, Canberra
Friday 4 APRIL – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 5 APRIL – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Friday 11 APRIL – The Forum, Melbourne
Saturday 12 APRIL – Odeon Theatre, Hobart
Saturday 26 APRIL – The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Friday 2 MAY – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide
Saturday 3 MAY – Metropolis, Fremantle
Friday 9 MAY – NEX, Newcastle
With thanks to Revolutions Per Minute
