Since junior year of college when I began listening to Say Hi, I knew they were something special. This lo-fi band is the epitome of indie pop, with a combination of simply orchestrated electronically-effected instrumentation and insanely clever lyrics.
This is a very bold statement, but Say Hi may have the most unique lyrics of any band I listen to. My favorite line comes from one of their classic love songs, Let’s Talk About Spaceships. “Let’s talk about spaceships, or anything except you and me, okay?” What makes it so great, in my opinion, is that it’s an extremely lighthearted lyric in spite of a subject matter (breakup) that’s very serious.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, the band was previously called Say Hi to Your Mom after band members agreed the name didn’t match their style. New name, or old, the group is super talented, and a truly hidden gem. Lead singer, Eric Elbogen’s unorthodox voice is the perfect vessel for witty lyrics that touch topics such a love, Star Trek, snowcones, puppies, and even Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The group has even released an album that is nearly entirely devoted to songs about vampires. Interesting right?
Here’s a list of my favorite tracks on each of the band’s six albums.
Discosadness (2002) – Kill The Cat, The Fritz, Laundry, They Write Books About This
Number and Mumbles (2004) – The Key of C, A Hit in Sweden, Hooplas Involving Circus Tricks, A Kiss to Make It Better, Let’s Talk About Spaceships
Ferocious Mopes (2005) – As Smart as Geek is Chic Right Now, Dimensions and Verticals, The Forest Scares The Hell Out of Me, I Think I’ll Be a Good Ghost
Impeccable Blahs (2006) – Angels and Darlas, Blah Blah Blah, Sweet Sweet Heartkiller, These Fangs
The Wishes and the Glitch (2008) – Northwestern Girls, We Lost The Albatross, Apples For The Innocent, Zero to Love, Spiders
Oohs and Aahs (2009) – Hallie and Henry, Elouise, Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh, Sallie’s Heart is Stone
Here’s a few Say Hi tracks that should give you an idea of what the band is about.
