Portland duo Aina Haina can trace their roots back to the University of Hawaii some years ago. Their reluctance to say exactly when this was indicates that they're maybe no spring chickens. Nothing to be ashamed of, but from what information we've been able to garner it looks as though this was sometime in the 1980s. They joined musical forces in one way or another back then, before finding their paths crossing again in Oregon. And so Aina Haina was born/reborn and have just released their debut EP. The music, like the guys themselves, can be traced back to the 1980s. In fact this EP is so 80s rock that they describe themselves as a "Power Duo" and boast that (in jest we hope) their EP is "better than Van Halen's latest effort". It's hardly shaping up to be a record that resonates with readers of this site, but we pressed ahead.
Yeah this is classic rock to the core. The riffs are the same/similar to hair-metal and rock bands of that time and it seems this is without even a hint of irony. Still, they are what they are, and although their chosen genre may not be one we like (at all) we should be objective. So... the songs are OK, "power duo" just about fits although the vocals lack that extra bit of grunt, in fact they may be more suited to indie music than harder rock. Highlights? Well that's stretching it, but the least offensive songs are 'I Can't Feel You Anymore' and 'We Pulled It Down'. The most embarrassingly out of date are the chugging 'Mericel' and the poodle-rock 'Help Me Through'. If you like Mötley Crüe or Def Leppard then you have terrible taste. But this debut from Aina Haina might be right up your street.
'I Wouldn't Let Me In If I Were You'
(Click to stream, right click, save as to download)
Aina Haina's website
Buy the album
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