Thanks to my doo-wop dad, my Rat-Pack mom, my disco loving sister (at least she was in the 80s) and countless other influences along the way, I have a ridiculous library of music stored in my head. Music has this incredible ability to bring you back to a place and time, it’s not just a memory. It’s a feeling. A heartbeat. (Okay – I totally stole that as a little tribute to Patrick Swayze. Because Dirty Dancing was yet another tremendous musical moment in my dreams life. And I may or may not have begged my parents to vacation in the Catskills because I was convinced that I would have the opportunity to save a tragically misunderstood hunky dance instructor and he would in turn save me. By finding my undiscovered dance potential.)
I digress.
Music has been a huge part of my life, so I was more than a little excited when I was given the opportunity to review the newest Five for Fighting release, Slice, on sale October 12. The band, led by John Ondrasik, has put out a few monumental anthems of years past. 100 Years was the Never Say Goodbye of a younger generation, but without the guyliner and the highlights.
Five for Fighting’s sound is instantly likable. It is catchy without being too pop and edgy without being over orchestrated. And the voice of John Ondrasik – quite sexy. It is two parts delicious mixed with one part sultry and a dash of vulnerability. You can feel raw emotion through his voice – loss, love, fear and hope are all there in different songs. It’s that rawness that sets Five for Fighting’s sound apart in a landscape of over synthesized, over processed music.
Slice, as an album, represents the various snapshots of life. Those moments, sometimes tremendous, sometimes small, that leave a lasting imprint on your life. Conceptually, that is what I love about Slice, because music has a power like no other to capture those life changing shifts in time and perspective.
Tuesday, the third track, is reminiscent of classic Billy Joel. Using the piano as his mistress, the tune is melodic and delicate, with a disciplined passion that feels organic and real. Again, it is the vulnerability in his voice – a slight quiver, a hint of insecurity – that, quite frankly, makes you want to watch the video to see if the face matches the sound. (It does.)
Easily, my favorite track on the album is Chances. Its tune easily crept into my head and I found myself searching for it when I gave the album a second listen. And singing it. Off tune, in my own special way – especially the parts where he breaks into a smooth falsetto and I break windows.
On certain songs, like the title track Slice and Letters to an Unknown Soldier, I found some of the lyrics to be slightly distracting and a bit awkward. Slice aims to recall a time when life was simpler – before technology and Lady Gaga. But references to cell phones and blogs within the lyrics feel forced, making the message come across a little too loud and clunky for the pop melody it is set to. In Soldier, a track that honors the many amazing men and women that are bravely fighting for our country, has a line says “You are so tall / Did you play basketball.” The sentiment is strong and you want to love the track. You want to join in and pay tribute. Ondrasik’s voice is cooing, the music is totally sway-worthy, but the quirkiness of some of the lyrics prevents you from falling completely. Which is a shame, because you were right there. On the edge. Ready to let go.
Do I recommend Slice? The short answer: Yes. Give it a listen. There are definitely some gems that found their way into mental musical library. Do I recommend you tattoo the lyrics onto your person? The short answer: Proceed With Caution.
Now It’s Your Turn
Since Slice represents some of life’s most significant snapshots, tell me what song represents a snapshot of a time in your life good, bad, funny, ugly or otherwise – and brings you back there instantly when you hear it?
For me? There are so many. But in the sake of full disclosure, somewhere in between my love for glam rock and my teen shift into gothic and what was lovingly referred to alternative music, I found myself front row at a New Kids on the Block concert. With my stone washed jeans and jacket covered in puffy paint proclaiming my love. And my hair making me a full four and half inches taller than I actually was. And though it is rare that I hear Hangin’ Tough these days, on the rare occasion that I do, I instantly smell AquaNet hairspray and wonder if my collection of NKOTB trading cards would be worth anything on Ebay.
Ok I haven’t bought a CD in about ten years so I admit I skimmed the review. Just not my thing. You understand.
But I was also just sure that if we vacationed in a little resort that I would meet a tragically misunderstood dancer who was just looking for an awkward unskilled teenaged girl to save him. We could save eachother….yeah…I was so there with ya hon!
Because who didn’t want to be Baby?!?!?! I was probably sadder than I should have rightfully been when Patrick Swayze died. Because with him, my dream died. P.S. I lived in NY growing up and we did, in fact, go to the Catskills post Dirty Dancing. There was no dance instructor or abortions. There was however a really, painful and sad talent night, which was the ONLY similarity to the movie.
Gotta admit, I was never a huge fan of Five for Fighting. I listened to a few of the tracks that you mentioned and it wasn’t half bad.
Hmm, song memories. I would have to say any time I hear TKA I go back to some school dances we had. Gotta love that disco!
I totally went to a NKOTB concert too and have all the trading cards, in plastic (gotta check out eBay) and Donnie sang Cover Girl to me. So that brings back memories too!
“Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” by Meatloaf. It reminds me of the night I tried to break up with a guy. We were standing on a beach. I was about to move out of state to attend a new college. We had a fantastic summer of dating but the time was up. I stared at him, tried to say goodbye but couldn’t.
Six years later he and I were married and buying our first house together three blocks from that same beach. Two years after that I’d stroll down and play in the sand with our son.
We’re still together 21 years later and I still think of that night when I hear that song.
Jenna
I do love Five for Fighting. The songs – lyrically and melodically – combined with John’s voice remind me of a dear friend for reasons I can’t quite pin-point. I like to think they’re what he would write and sing if he wrote and sang songs. Looking forward to that new album! Anyway…
Out of the million, I’ll go with The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Black Balloon”. It reminds me of exactly 10 years ago this month, being in school, the Autumn leaves, meeting and falling in love with my husband, the overall angst of all that transpired in the following four short months before we got married…. *sigh*. And I still don’t have a clue what the hell the song is about! The harmonics just resonated. Deeply.