Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In a word: DIVERSE!, April 26, 2000
I have been awaiting this CD since November. FIF is the only ska band that is musically satisfying to me, and this is more true than ever with this release. ALL THE HYPE is far from typical "chinka-chinka" ska fare, with songs dabbling in salsa, calypso, reggae, straight ahead rock/ska, and a few that defy catagorization and even explanation. GIANTS is strange and very complex, featuring a deluge of minor chords. YOU DON'T WANT TO MOVE HERE is perhaps even more eclectic, and features lead vocalist Reese Roper yodeling, as well as music that is 100% unique; I would love to see them execute this song live! Again, strange would be a understatent, but THIS IS A GOOD THING! Other highligts are "THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD" and "THE WORLD WITHOUT END" However, there are no truly weak songs on the disk. The one guarantee on this album is that NO ONE can complain that any songs sound alike, and FIF is the only ska band that those words can be said of. Lyrically, the album is still has silly songs, but is the most serious album released by FIF to date. The album has a few songs that may stir some controversy; "FAHRENHEIT" is a song about Freddie Mercury of Queen, and Reese apologizes for feeling that Mercury deserved to die because of his Homosexuality. The song ends with Reese repeating "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" "Four-Fifty-One" critisizes the Christian music industry, and many Christians for excess conservatism in their "sterile Christian bubble." Many of the songs, however, speak of God's grace. This album is a must for any remaining ska fans and all that enjoy music that is fun yet challenging.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
buy this cd! five iron is stronger than ever, April 26, 2000
this cd is killer. the first time i listened to it i had a bit of a mixed reaction. its not all happy pop ska like the other 5 iron dics. it's much more diverse and now that i listen to it again I realize that Reese has reached a new level with his song writing on this disc. they even attack big business and the "christian Bubble". a much more mature album
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Catchy as hell and super fun!, July 25, 2006
Before listening to "All The Hype" all I'd ever heard of FIF was 'When I Go Out' and the Pants rock opera from Quantity is Job 1. I checked All The Hype out on a whim and absolutely fell in love with the band through it all.
While some may argue that the songwriting on All The Hype is a patchwork at best, if you look at Five Iron's other albums, it's easy to see that All The Hype does reflect and influence their other albums. For instance -- the odd recording style of "Giants" parallels FIF2: Electric Boogaloo's "Vultures". "The Phantom Mullet" continues Five Iron's quest for all-around 'fun' songs, following in the footsteps of "Blue Comb '78"and, of course, the Pants rock opera. "World Without End" echoes the uplifting feel of "Every New Day". And "A New Hope" sets the stage for Five Iron's crossover to more rock, less ska on their later albums.
The album is fun to listen to, albeit rocky in transition at some points -- 'You Probably Shouldn't Move Here' to 'Hurricanes' to 'Giants' to 'I Still Like Larry' sticks out as one of the more painful setups in Five Iron's history -- but get past all that and you'll find yourself with an album that's perfect to sing along to.
Also, it features the greatest cover of "It's Not Unusual" of all time.
So ditch R.E.O. Speedwagon and listen to "All The Hype" as you're cruisin' downtown in your Camaro.
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