You can trust Louder
Spawn of the post-grunge generation, Italy’s High Frequency have spent too long listening to records by Nickelback, Daughtry and Foo Fighters. This self-titled debut is spirited and energetic, and their enthusiasm is at times contagious.
But the insurmountable problem is that we’ve heard it all before. Built upon modestly hummable hooks and dispatched with chirpiness aplenty, its opening two numbers, Walking My Way and Get Away, are pleasant though unmistakably innocuous.
And things get worse. Try fighting the urge to roar with laughter as Luca Di Vincenzo (who also plays the drums) does his best Eddie Vedder impression during The Magical Mystery Love. Go, meanwhile, is a transparent Soundgarden pastiche. The four-piece began life playing covers and in a way, it feels as though that’s what they’re still doing.
It feels mean-spirited to knock them, but it’s tough to get worked up about this tepid debut.

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.