Customer Reviews

Dance Or Die With a Vengeance

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I'm a person who listens to all different kinds of music, so the diversity in this album was amazing for me.
This CD is almost nothing like their previous one, but(in my opinion) is equally as good. A lot of FF5's patrons may be expecting something less poppy from them, but I feel they had a good mix of everything in there.
That fact that their sound has changed, doesn't make them, or this CD bad.
I feel like I could give this CD to someone who's never heard them before and they would love it.
It's all a part of musical evolution, and it's a good thing.
Who wants to hear the same thing over, and over again?

My advice to those of you expecting B-side to business up front is to prepare yourself for something a little more "dancified". Who knows? you may even like it!
=]

Comparing this album to their first release, it is equally as good. Of course, FF5 has taken a new direction with their sound, but as someone who likes most every style out there, I love this CD just as much as their debut.

It seems like people love to bash this band for being a "Christian band." Why? Simple: not every song is about faith or God, yet that is what many expect to hear. As much as I love worship music that is well done, I don't want to hear that style day in and day out.

Just because FF5 is under a well-known label in the Christian industry, it doesn't mean that they're gonna give you a sermon one song after another. Many bands reference God and the spiritual indirectly with pronouns "He,""Him," "You" etc., and it's really common to have songs that don't even mention the Lord. For example, topics like addiction, struggles, overcoming temptation, hope, dying to your own ways and living for "something greater," not following the crowd, relationships, and just having fun are common. The bands like to write songs about real people going through life, the struggles and triumphs they encounter along the way, and how they break free from those difficult situations. That's a big part of the industry - writing songs people can relate to by showing them that there is a different perspective to things. When you think about it, for many years Christian music has been for primarily for Christian people. But now that the Christian scene has expanded itself in both style and lyrical content, it has been able to reach a much wider audience (including non-Christians). It's a great thing too, because no matter what the audience is like, the same message can apply to everyone (its a way of ministering to others in a way that is overly preachy).

Unlike a lot of the mainstream songs on the radio, rather than hearing someone singing about a breakup over cheating that involves bitter feelings, inflated anger, and ill-wishes, Christian bands take a different spin on it all. When writing a song about a relationship, themes like honesty, openness, staying true, abiding in love not lust, thinking things over before making quick decisions, and so on are very common. Since the members of Christian bands are Christians, the stuff they write about is seen from a faith perspective. No mater what the topic / content of the song is, the message is still good and often thought provoking.

So going back to FF5's sophomore release, you can split it up into two categories: (1) Songs dealing with faith / spiritual themes (2) Songs that don't deal with those things.

FAITH-BASED SONGS:

~ Dance or Die
~ Get Your Back Off the Wall
~ How In the World
~ D-I-E 4 Y-O-U
~ Wake the Dead
~ Radiator

NON-FAITH-BASED SONGS:

~ ...the remaining 5.


Having said all that, songs like "Rip it Up" or "Earthquake" (on their first CD) are simply about having good, clean fun dancing with someone out on the dance floor. There aren't any suggestive hints at the junk seen at many parties. "Share It With Me" and "The First Time" are both incredible love songs that demonstrate what healthy relationships ought to be about, and "Party Foul" talks about staying true when in a relationship while dealing someone else who is interfering in a negative way.

More than anything, the fact that these guys are a Christian band, are willing to admit it shamelessly, and reflect it in their lives is just awesome. Whether they're tearing up a stage over a song that is just about having fun and getting pumped up or mellowing things down a bit with one that is a heartfelt love song to God ("How In the World"), this album is simply fantastic.

Get over the fact that not every track is wrapped in worshipful writing and enjoy it. The members are committed to their ministry and don't shy away from writing songs that are suggestive of it.

For all you California people, go check them out live at the upcoming Spirit West Coast 2009.

Great CD. Not quite as good as the first CD, Business up Front Party in the Back, but good in its own right. This band puts together a great rock/punk/techno/retro/dance CD.... whatever.... that's why they call it crunk rock. If you get a chance to see them in concert, they put on a GREAT show! You can't go wrong with Family Force 5.

Last summer, we were introduced to a side of Family Force 5 that a lot of us were slightly uncomfortable with. A few "fans" were lost, but the real ones stuck with them. New fans were made recently on the AP Tour with well-known names such as The Maine, Hit The Lights, and 3OH!3. And now Family Force 5 gives us fans a little something in the form of a remix album.

This album has a lot more dance than even Dance or Die, and should probably be marked TRUE FANS ONLY. Not to say a few people new to Family Force 5 won't like it, but for some people I know, this could be a bigger turn off than DOD. Barely any rock elements remain, but was Family Force 5 ever really a rock band? Crunk rock, yes, but can that be considered rock? Probably, but I believe that Business Up Front... was dancy, only that the rock guitars softened it a bit for those not used to that. DOD was a bit more stripped down. Less guitars, more synthesizers. Nobody seemed to notice, but the synths were there all along!

But back to the remix album. Family Force 5 had different bands make their own versions of DOD songs for them. The songs are arranged exactly as they were on the un-remixed version. So "Dance or Die (The Secret Handshake Han Valen Remix)" opens the album, featuring vocals by Luis Dubuc of The Secret Handshake, and a few new lyrics to go with it. Without the guest vocals, the song doesn't sound too different from it's original. The following song is "Get Your Back Off The Wall (3OH!3 Remix)". But don't be worried, the lyrics are exactly the same as it was last time, with no additions by 3OH!3.

I was slightly worried, with bands known for having vulgar lyrics remixing FF5 songs, but, of course, FF5 had to approve it, and so there is no swearing or inappropriateness to be worried about. This remix's intro and closing are kind of annoying, as are a few other tracks on the album. It seems that songs like this were not made to sound better or cool, but elements were added that made it sound like they are there just because they can be, and doesn't help the song at all. Others songs such as "Fever (The Toxic Avenger Remix)" fools the listener with its opening into thinking that it'll be something great, but then ends with the most annoying I've ever heard come from a band.

"Rip It Up (The Pragmatic Remix)" is the first remix of this song on the album. The first time I heard it, I couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably at the drama two minutes into the song between a group of doctors, one of them named "Dr. Disco." Their conversation is utterly hilarious, and makes the song better, as the music isn't all that great. "How In The World (Suave Suarez Remix)," another song that has a double at the end of the album, sounds like a disco song, and will probably take a few listens to get used to. "Party Foul (Smi D's UVS Remix)" is the most dancy song, and definitely my personal favorite. It is completely impossible to not tap your feet when listening to it. It's a lot more fun than FF5's first try, and the addition of the catchy lyrics, "Time to sweat, Time to move, Time to get, In the groove" gives it a humorous side as well. Another song better than its original is "Share it With Me (Smile Future Remix)." On DOD it was by far the worst song to come from this band. Now it's another one of my favorites. The next three songs are kind of dry, and aren't too different than the un-remixed versions, with the exception of "The First Time (Matt Thiessen Remix)", which is a little slower and features vocals by Relient K's lead singer.

Family Force 5's only new song on the album, "Ghostride the Whip" sounds a lot like Kanye West at some points, as it is a break from the dance style of the rest of the album for a little bit of hip-hop. It's got some really great beats that make you want to turn it up loud and roll down your windows. The song after that is an alternate remix of "Rip It Up," but this time only Crouton does vocals, with a little bit of rapping at the end courtesy of Soul Glow. Crouton has a great voice, and this song sounds like something you'd hear on the radio when you're in the mall. His voice is altered a lot, though. The song that closes the album is another "How In The World," this time mixed by David Crowder* Band. It's definitely more dancy, but it is not at all a highlight on the album.

Dance or Die With a Vengeance is definitely fun to listen to, but most if it cannot be taken seriously. Most fans will enjoy it and realize that this is not who Family Force 5 is, but it was still a fun addition to their library that will hopefully hold us over until the fall when we hear the FF5 Christmas album.

[[...]]

Yeah, it's different from Business/Party...because it's a REMIX album! The tracks come from Dance or Die, the original new album. Which is not *quite* as keytar/electric-drumkit-on-speed pseudo-hip-hop ironic-fizzy-pop. You won't be able to completely appreciate this if you haven't heard the other. So if you're not feeling this one for some reason, don't go away judging without checking out Dance or Die (without a vengeance). Just sayin.

Today I realized that I could live without this album, but I don't really want to. I skipped a few of the slower tracks, which is why downloading it here was a good idea, but a friend loaned this cd to me and I was too excited about Christian music that rocks 80's style not to buy it for myself.

I'm not sure why there is so much hate on this album. It's Family Force 5, but with an 80's theme. The vocals are the same. The hooks are there. It's feel good music. If you want something deep or dark, go listen to Project 86. If you want something inspirational, try Skillet. If you just want to have fun, get this album.

Even better than their first album, though it isn't crunk as much. It's more of a dance/crunk thing. The lyrics have a whole lot of meaning, and it is overall an absolutely awesome album!

This is a great album and I love this band. I don't like this CD quite as much as Business Up Front, but all of the songs still get stuck in my head all the time. It's much more diverse than the first album. Family Force 5 has some great sounding music. The upbeat stuff is great to get you moving. It has me dancing in my cubicle each time I listen! Great, clean music.

I fell in love with Family Force 5 after seeing them in concert last year. Their energy, passion, sense of humor, and stage presence is unbelievable. It seemed like it was impossible not to dance to every track on "Business Up Front Party in the Back"- each song was it's own funky masterpiece.

Unfortunately, they've changed their sound for "Dance or Die"- rather than their previous blend of heavy bass, intense guitar, rhythmic sound effects, rap, amazing lyrics, and catchy melodies...they've switched to a more repetitive 80's electronica sound. Soul Glow's raw voice is, as the previous reviewer mentioned, roboticized. There are actually a lot of audio filters going on throughout, making it sound more canned than organic. It doesn't sound bad, but for me it's just not as much fun to listen to- the FF5 pounding beat that I fell in love with is missing on this album. I would play it as background party music rather than "pump up the party" music. I also miss the subtle lyrics about faith.

I'm sure fans will still love the new sound, even if it is different. I give the guys kudos for trying something new (the ballads, for example, are a welcome surprise). But hopefully their next release can revive some of their classic supersonic sound.

HOWEVER...good news for fans disappointed with this album: I recently had the privilege of seeing them perform "Fever" at a concert at The Hard Rock Cafe, and they performed it with just as much dynamic enthusiasm as always. So no worries- they put on a great show no matter what!