Frank Viele - “Lo-Fi Goodbye” Review
When you think of Americana, folk or blues, a New Englander may not be who comes to mind first. Not with Frank Viele. The Milford, Connecticut native has won numerous awards (New England Music Award for Songwriter of the Year 2x, and Male Performer of the Year among others) for his efforts over the past few years, and he is out now with his latest single and video for “Lo-Fi Goodbye”. Oftentimes touching on themes of love, life’s struggles and the human experience, his soulful vocals bring depth and emotion to his songs.
Working with producers Jimmy Nutt & James LeBlanc out of Muscle Shoals, AL, the song opens with “Everybody knows but me you’re like a walking, talking tragedy, guess it’s my dumb luck, you’d slip and trip and fall for me.” It paints a picture of an unsuspecting individual who becomes entangled with someone that lives a lifelong tragic narrative. It is a love that goes betrayed, and becomes taken advantage of.
The sound is almost western in nature, and the video even pulls scenes from the lyrics in what you might find when watching Tombstone (1993), or The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) mixed with a kind of mystic or steampunk influence thrown in. “Pawned my soul, hocked my heart, speakers blow every time your mixtape starts.” the next verse reads. It’s a love that’s not enjoyable in any of the senses.
With a screaming chorus sound that almost mimics Lou Gramm of Foreigner, the refrain belts, “Lo-Fi Goodbye, living in your empty eyes.” It’s this departure echoing through the entire song that depicts a love that is emotionally disconnected.
As the end of the song nears, “Scared to care, too tough to cry, pretty mama goodbye” draws things to a close. Despite the woman’s beauty, the unknown of what lies behind pushing the relationship further pulls the man away for good. The western ring repeats, and the main character is seen packing his luggage walking away yet again.
Catch Viele’s latest release at the link above, and also look for him on Instagram and YouTube!
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FrankViele
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankviele/