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n 1981, REO Speedwagon released Hi Infidelity, which would be the band's highest selling album with Gold and Platinum in its immediate future. With heartfelt lyrics and perfect pitch sound of the rock and roll anthems like "Take It On The Run," and "Keep On Loving You," REO Speedwagon and Hi Infidelity became the band and the album you heard on every radio station—everywhere.
Now, 30 years later, Epic/Legacy Records is re-releasing Hi Infidelity on its 30th Anniversary as a two-CD edition which includes the original award winning album and a second disc titled "The Crystal Demos." REO Speedwagon had released several albums prior to Hi Infidelity, but it was pivotal in its career and was widely acclaimed as a triumph of writing and performance skill. Hi Infidelity sold close to 10 million copies and was number one on the charts for 15 weeks, longer than many of its contemporaries at the time. This major accomplishment was followed by the fact that it remained on the Billboard 200 album chart for 101 weeks.
In Hi Infidelity, REO Speedwagon takes you on an audio tour of the soul, from moments of joy to feelings of heartbreak that every listener could identify with. The group seems to look at relationships from two views, In “Don’t Let Him Go,” the vocalist issues a warning to not take the man you love for granted, and on “In Your Letter,” the singer is letting an ex-girlfriend know what he thinks of her “Dear John” letter. All of the tracks on Hi Infidelity connect with the listener on a personal level, which is why this album is just as great now as it was 30 years ago when it was first heard on the airwaves.
The second CD "The Crystal Demos" is a collection of demos of nine tracks from the album. It embodies the music of Hi Infidelity in its raw and un-edited form with a strong “rock and roll” edge, with most of the songs being recorded in one take. The instrumental version of “Shakin’ It Loose” stands out, as it pulls you into every note, and you find yourself just tapping your foot in time.
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