After ten years of slogging it out around the midwestern part of the United States, REO finally hit the big time with the release of Hi Infidelity. The album mixed REO’s earlier hard rock with pop songs that sold in the millions.

Now, 30 years later, the album is getting a touch up and a special bonus. The album has been remastered and sounds as good, if not better, than the first time you touched your stylus to the vinyl. In addition, The Crystal Demos have been added as a second disc. It is amazing to hear how good these songs all sounded before they were done properly in the studio. The demos show the seeds being sown for the great album that followed.

The original album is a pure joy. “Don’t Let Him Go,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Take It On The Run” and “Tough Guys” are still played on stage by the band every night. “Follow My Heart” and “Out of Season” are also great tracks as are “I Wish You Were Here,” “Shakin’ it Loose” and “Out of Season.” The only silly song on the album was the 1950’s inspired “In Your Letter” but even that one some REO fans dig.

This is the album that changed direction for the band as they became more pop oriented after this release. However, this release is as solid as their back catalog and rocks. Some of REO’s early fans saw this as the beginning of the end. This writer sees this album as both a bookend, showcasing all that was great about the band that came before, and as a transition into a more radio friendly REO. Either way, Hi Infidelity is an American classic that will be listened to long after you and I are gone.