Five for Fighting - Two Lights
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CD Details
Artist: Five for FightingBrand: Baker & Taylor
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2006-08-01
Model: 0827969447123
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- Freedom Never Cries
- World
- California Justice
- The Riddle
- Two Lights
- 65 Mustang
- I Just Love You
- Policeman's Xmas Party
- Road To Heaven
- Johnny America
Music reviews of Two Lights
Music Review: Solid Album; A Treat to listen to, 3.5 stars
Rating: 3 Stars
Having never heard any of Five For Fighting's work, I decided I'd listen to TWO LIGHTS when it was available to preview before purchasing. I wasn't disappointed and it was refreshing hearing John Ondrasik and his band perform. Power pop is a neglected sub-genre/style these days. It is also very much associated with "Piano power" or "Piano Pop", which is exactly what is exhibited on this solid album by FFF.
The production and the orchestration on this album is one of many highlights. There is often the employment of strings alongside driving guitars, tender falsetto by Ondrasik, and ostinato piano lines. The mix is exceptional and for the most part you couldn't ask for a better mix. Occasionally on a few numbers, the guitars tend to destroy the mix being a bit overassertive within the overall production where volume is concerned. Overall, production is one of the drawing factors.
Other factors making TWO LIGHTS the solid album that it is is the songwriting and Ondrasik's immaculate vocals. True "songwriting" is something that some commercial/mainstream music lacks. Sure "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas had to be penned or "Toxic" by Britney Spears had to be scored, but they aren't a true singer-songwriters song. Its singer-songwriters like Alanis Morrissette, Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan, or even more recent crossover-Brit success Corinne Bailey Rae that are true singer-songwriters. Ondrasik joins that group with refined lyrics that emote the true essence of what true songwriting is. Even on the most uninspired tracks or the least serious tracks, the lyrics do stand out. Aiding the expression of the captivating lyrics is the exceptional vocals by Ondrasik, which emote the emotions Ondrasik himself sought to acheive when he composed his poignant words. Without his impassioned vocals, something ultimatly would've been missing from TWO LIGHTS. It is production, songwriting, and the impassioned vocals of Ondrasik that make TWO LIGHTS a success. That isn't to say that TWO LIGHTS doesn't have its flaws, because it does.
Along with the exception vocals along Ondrasik, one can't help but to filled annoyed after listening to the whole album. Ondrasik is a great, emotional vocalist, but he does grate on you a bit after he has been oh so tender and sang for too long in his falsetto register. Also, while a lot of the material is inspired, there are a couple of misses track wise on TWO LIGHTS. The biggest flop is the stupid, horribly catchy "Policeman's X-Mas Party" which changes the mood of the album from contemplative and somber to just plain rediculous. Sure it is well produced, but this is the only track where Ondrasik's vocal performance is questionable as well as the track itself. There are no tracks as bad as "Policeman's X-Mas Party", but there are other average tracks that don't standout as much such as "California Justice", "65 Mustang" (which comes over as somewhat unrelated to what the album is trying to emote overall), and "Road To Heaven", which to its credit is OK, but just not great. "Two Lights" isn't per say a hit, but it is better than the preceeded listed tracks. The true standouts are the incredible "Freedom Never Cries" which is simply put one of the most beautiful, touching songs that I've heard this year, period. "World" is good, but not as good as "Freedom", though most definitely a hit. First single "The Riddle" is a great track and Ondrasik sounds a good as ever. "I Just Love You" is another touching track that makes you want to cry about true impassioned love. Track 10, closing track "Johnny America" is a great way to end an overall polished album, only spoiled by such stupidity as "Policeman's X-Mas Party."
Overall, TWO LIGHTS is by no means a perfect album, but it does have a lot going for it. It is also slightly better than average, though if you explore other artists/albums in the power pop arena (ala Ben Folds, SONGS FOR SILVERMAN or other work), you will see there are better, more polished albums that stand on their own a little better. I can't help but to say that TWO LIGHTS impressed me in several ways. 3.5 stars.
Description of Two Lights
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.On his third disc, the one-man musical marvel known as Five for Fighting proves yet again that all that's standing between him and peace of mind--not the fleeting kind, but full-on, to-the-bone, heart-and soul-cleansing peace of mind--is a song. Two Lights picks up where America Town left off, diving smack-dab into the national consciousness and hitting, predictably, a sorrowful spot. First track "Freedom Never Cries" is a self-skewering lament that calls out to complacent countrymen by way of confession and an artful, piano-enhanced weighing of consequence. It's followed by "World," which reminds unpreachily, and not unpleasantly, that "history starts now." Where Two Lights better resembles 2004's hugely successful The Battle for Everything is in its more inward-looking tracks, the tender first single "The Riddle" among them. There, and on the near criminally pretty "I Just Love You," the mush-hearted may find themselves fighting the urge to hug the closest stranger. But despite his now-dependable dips into mopiness, John Ondrasik--Five for Fighting to you and the rest of the world--doesn't deny himself the opportunity to rock when he wants to. If anything makes this guy happy, it's the state of California: on "California Justice," he kicks off his shoes and works on his tan like a latter-day Beach Boy from the dark side, and "'65 Mustang" rambles down the coast with the kind of carefree vibe that, outside of a song, only a convertible can deliver. --Tammy La Gorce
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