Woove staff writer Peter Tesh reviews new release from Asheville, NC band The StereoFidelics, You Are Having a Wonderful Time (2010).

You Are Having A Wonderful Time (2010) is the second full album by the Asheville, NC based StereoFidelics, and this indie retro-rock duet has only improved since their first great release, Only Sleeping (2008). Members Chris Padgett (Electric/Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals) and Melissa McGinley (Drums, Violin, Vocals) have refined their sound to the point so you could never tell that they aren't at least a five-piece ensemble. It's not just studio magic, either—their live shows (which are amazing, by the way) sound exactly the same, and their albums greatly capture that frantic energy that the two have during their live shows, in which they constantly switch instruments in inventive ways. It's difficult to ascribe an exact sound to the pair (but then again, what good groups make it easy?); they blend elements of folk, indie, rock ‘n’ roll, and blues into a mix that sounds so familiar, yet different than anything other group.

The highlights of the album song wise would probably be the titular “You Are Having a Wonderful Time,” which highlights Padgett's technical skill on guitar and later McGinley's violin (a sound that is conspicuously absent on many of these recordings, which is a shame); “Nice Neighborhood,” a rock-organ driven, almost funk piece which has some great duet vocal work; as well as “Everything Was Fine Until You Showed Up” and “You Know I Would,” a pair of songs, the former sung by Padgett and the latter by McGinley. “Everything” is an acoustic piece which shows a more subdued side of the group's sound and showcases Padgett's smooth, dusky vocals; while “You Know I Would” is upbeat (almost desperately so) and the perfect vehicle for McGinley's wonderful old-fashioned drawl and violin. There's a story behind the pair, but, well, I won't spoil it. Listen to it yourself and find out (or read the liner notes with the album, if you're lazy.)

It’s rare that a group—and especially a duet like this—manages to capture the same sort of sound both in studio recording and live performance, but You Are Having a Wonderful Time absolutely nails it. See the StereoFidelics live if you ever have the chance, because they put on one hell of a show, but if you can't, this album is the next best thing.