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I hate ska. I really do. So I should probably give a reason why I'm reviewing a ska band's CD. Out of all the multitude of monotonous ska bands out there, there is only one (in my opinion) that is worth my praise... Five Iron Frenzy. FIF has something different about them that I am about to explain before I go into the actual review. First off, FIF continues to put out great albums right after the other. They add and take away certain elements while still holding onto their roots in ska-core. Too many ska bands are trying to include swing and emo (don't even get me started on ska bands playing emo) and it just sucks. There's no other word for it. I shudder at it because it just shows conformity and mediocrity to what mainstream (and underground, for that matter) tells us what's good. Secondly, FIF's lyrics are just outstanding as well as humurous. The words make you crack a smile and provoke thought. Lastly, the vocals of Reese Roper. He has a passion for what he sings and you can hear it in his voice. It's not just being silly all the time (typical ska band: "Hi! We're silly! Ha ha! Look! I can skank!"), it's being serious and sincere about what you say. Reese does just that and keeps an even balance of silliness and sincerity while not being a annoying. That was my rant. Now to the review... Five Iron Frenzy LIVE. Oh yeah. I saw these guys at Cornerstone '97 and I had the time of my life. The CD really captures FIF's live show to the T. The recording is studio quality which a real relief because most live recordings suck. Reese appropriately opens the first song with "TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL." Then he does the high-pitch glam-metal scream for the intro. Hilarious. You can't but sing along to every track (even to songs you don't know) especially "Oh, Canada" and "A Flowery Song." The best parts of the CD are the segues between songs when the band talks. It truly shows that the band cares about the quality the kids are getting at the show as well as showing they actually care for the kids (whereas most bands just play and say, "Get our CD's in the back because we're poor"). "Handbook for the Sellout" is flawless as is "Suckerpunch" (some of my FIF favorites) with both lyrics being so honest (the former about scene-sters, the latter about losers like me). The band does covers from all sorts of bands including Vengeance Rising ("Receive Him") and Tom Jones ("It's Not Unusual") to add quite a bit of flavor for every ear. The band gives time for praise on songs like "Dandelions" and "Every New Day" with Reese's sincere and pleading voice. You'd think horns would spoil such tender moments, but they really add to the passion exerted by the words so truthfully spoken. I particularly like the new song "New Hope" about Columbine. I am usually annoyed with anything to do with that event (because of the media), but this song points out where the focus should be (freedom to live). The breakdown is simply beautiful (if I can say that about a ska band) and it sends chills up and down your skin. After the last song, you fast forward quite a while and come to the secret track. I have never laughed so hard. Examples of mess-ups and funny conversations held on-stage during the tour. Reese forgets lyrics, the band screws up, cues aren't taken, and Reese changes lyrics like in "Superpowers": 'Everyone in the band can't stand me/ just because I have nasty shorts/ and kinda by accident there was.. ahhh, too much leg being shown.' Overall, this CD rocks. Lars-O-Meter: 8 out of 10 Favorite Song: "Dandelions" Record Label: 5 Minute Walk email Lars at [email protected] |