Customer Reviews

Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo

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1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'll admit, my review may be a bit biased. I've been a fan since their 1996 release "Upbeats and Beatdowns" and have faithfully bought each of their subsequent albums within their first week of mass release. That said, I will now share my thoughts.

Whenever "All the Hype that Money Can Buy" came out last year, I had to listen to it a few times before I really began to like it. Even then, I felt like I was convincing myself to like the album. I have since memorized most of the songs on the album and I still listen to it fairly regularly, but only after listening to "Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo" did I actually realize how disappointed I was with "All the Hype". Not because "Hype" was such a bad album, but because "Boogaloo" is such an AWESOME album. There is not a song on this album that I don't like. While I do somewhat long for the old-fashioned FIF humor of tracks like "When I Go Out" and "Kitty Doggy" and I wish that there were some humorous bonus track tacked onto the end, I don't feel like I've been let down at all. Here's some highlights:

Track 1: Pre-Ex Girlfriend
When I saw Five Iron live (about a month before this album's release), Reese introduced this song by saying that it's about how "women treat men like objects" and such. Since that was a concert, I couldn't really understand a word of the song (I only knew the title of it because I managed to get on stage fast enough to grab a set list, *grin*), so I had to wait until I got this album to get what it was talking about. The part where it's just an instrumental break with Reese approaching some girl is pure hilarity. (Reese: "Oh, um, hi... I um... I was across the room, and I looked over, and I saw you, and... um... I was wondering if... maybe you wanted to, uh, go... do something")

Track 2: Far, Far Away
A true masterpiece. Hearing this song on the radio is what got me really fired up for this album's release (aside from the fact that it's Five Iron). It's inspired by a song called "Come the Day" by the Seekers that Reese's mom used to sing to him as a lullaby. A beautiful song, both musically and lyrically.

Track 3: You Can't Handle This
It appears the guy from "Suckerpunch" on "Our Newest Album Ever" is back and he has obtained a superiority complex... hilarity ensues.

Track 6: The Day We Killed
Reese seems to be revisiting the grounds he walked when he wrote "Banner Year" on "Our Newest Album Ever". This one is quite a bit darker than "Banner Year," however, and instead of being a generally bitter statement about how we treated the Indians in days past, this one outright attacks the passive attitude that people of today approach this subject. This song is heart-rending and somewhat painful to listen to. I love it.

Track 11: Car
Dedicated to the memory of Carlos Ortega, the brother of the band's tenor sax player (Leanor "Jeff the Girl" Ortega). Great song, and Jeff proves for the second time (the other being "All That is Good") that she is just as able to write moving lyrics as Reese is.

Track 12: Eulogy
I'm still trying to sort out the meaning behind these lyrics, so I'm not too clear on what this song is trying to say yet. Even so, the music behind this song manages to provoke an emotional reaction from me every time I listen to it. It's melancholy, rather downtrodden, and still uplifting at the same time. It's a beautiful thing.

Overall, a wonderful album. The tracks I have not commented on here are also wonderful songs, I just haven't had the opportunity to really take them in yet. The ones I have here are my favorites so far, and I hope that they're useful to you in your decision whether to buy this album. Obviously, I recommend you do.

If you're looking for ska, then don't look here. True, the horns and lyrics and amazing musical talent of FIF is still in this CD, but it is much, MUCH more rock based then ska. Only number 8, Plan B, sounds at all like their earlier songs. So, if you only want ska, go for an earlier FIF album, but if you want a little more of a "rock-with-horns" feel, then this album rules.

My favorite songs are numbers 2,3,5,9,12; and the only song (the only FIF song so far) that I don't like is number 11, Car.

2. Far, Far Away. This is based on an old song that Reese's mom used to sing to him. This song is seriously awesome. There are biblical references in it alot, and the lyrics are good, but what just blows me away about it is the blending of the music. My favorite part is the second verse where the rythym guitar really kicks in and there are some keyboards. "And Peter was a liar, a traitor just like me. And Judas was a hypocrit, and Paul a Pharisee. When truth can be so distant, and hope evades our reach, Peter swam across the water and found it on the beach."

3. You Can't Handle This. This is an empowerment song to anybody who has ever considered themself to be in anyway a nerd. Just listen to it and you will know what I mean. This is typical Reese Roper lyrics all the way. "And Leonard Nemoy can't stand up to this. And Captain James T. Kirk bows beneath my fist. And I am awesome. Awesome! I am the AWESOMEST!"

5. Spartan. The feelings evoked by this song are best summed up by a quote from my brother: "Man, if I was atheist, that song would make me Christian." Words don't do it justice. This is by far my favorite song on the album. "Jesus, save me, from myself tonight."

9. Blue Mix. This song is a knock on the recording industry, and how it has become all about money. It's a good song, much more on the harder, more rock type sound that pervades this album. The guitar parts are very coo, and there is an awesome bridge near the end of the song with a guitar/drum solo that I love. "Sure you say one thing but your actions tell the truth on you!"

12. Eulogy. There is some speculation as to what this song is about, but I personally think it is a tribute to all those who died at Pearl Harbor. It's a good song, kind of like a history lesson mixed with a prayer. A great way to end the CD. "If Jesus Christ is true, then I am mostly lies. If Jesus Christ is love, then I have failed to try. If Jesus Christ is life, then please just let me die. Let this die!"

All in all, a wonderful CD. All the songs are good, just be warned that this is a pretty new sound for FIF before you buy. But I like it just as much as the old FIF sound. Best of both worlds! And if you like this CD, definitely check out their 2-disc final album, The End is Here, available April 20, 2004.

It was after 1995 when I first heard about a relatively unknown band based out of Colorado called Five Iron Frenzy who made the trip to Cornerstone and played on the unsigned stage to woo fans. From there I had to find out what the buzz was when Seven Minute Walk released a new music cd that had "A Flower Song" and "Third World Think Tank" on it. I had never heard such good Christian ska, Supertones were not the same. Since the first cd I haven't been as enthusiastic with the releases by FIF until I heard a track, Far Far Away, from this new cd.

Without a doubt this is either the very best or the second best album released by FIF. There are both amazing praise songs, humourous joke songs, and biting social commentary tracks on this album. All of it is laid out in such a way that it flows from one song to the next in the perfect manner.

Musically, it seems that they are still experiementing with styles but staying just as focused on third wave ska as ever before. There are a few songs that begin with quasi-hard hitting guitar parts. This is particularly noticable in the songs "Juggernaut" and "The Day We Killed". The horns are often played muted or slightly off to make them less abrasive. They are still peppy enough to be able to skank to them very easily. There are many tracks that will be awesome to hear live just because of the horns alone.

Lyrically it seems that they have refined the writing to make it have a more perfected hit. With lines like "freedom like a song the weak shall be made strong. I may sink before I swim, but I'm not giving in to you." Or, the more laid back boast, "beneath my icy stare I've got a retainer" in the self-depreciating song about the greatness of geeks, "You Can't Handle This".

All told, this album is one of the better releases albums by FIF. I also believe it will be included on my top albums of 2001 list. It is enjoyable, creative, and makes you feel happy to be alive and able to enjoy music.

Definitely very different from Five Iron Frenzy's other cds, they have almost completely abandoned the traditional ska-style guitar riffing in favor of a much heavier sound, sometimes backing of the horns moreso than they have done in the past. It's still a good CD tho, and not as punk as I feared it would be...every track at least has some horns, even if they are mixed low. This is one of my favorite ska CDs and I think the best Five Iron cd, you should give it a try.

1. "Pre-ex Girlfriend" - I think this is one of the best on the album, heavy riffs with a nice upfront horn section and some silly lyrics

2. "Far Far Away" - A nice chorus even though the verse is a little boring, overall some good riffs and a nice trombone solo

3. "You Can't Handle This" - A nice mellow lead guitar riff, but unfortunately the horns are mixed so far down you have to strain your ears just to hear them...other than that a pretty good song tho, even if its more punk/rock than it is ska

4. "Farsighted" - Pretty good song with a nice chorus, not much more to say about it than that

5. "Spartan" - Definitely one of my favorite tracks on the CD, the verse has sortof a pop-punk feel and the chorus is great, I especially like the horns in this song

6. "The Day We Killed" - Despite the very Rage Against the Machine-ish vocals, this is also one of my favorites, a nice hybrid of hardcore and ska with great lyrics and a passionate chorus, too bad the horns weren't turned up a little more

7. "Juggernaut" - Great chorus with my favorite horn part on the CD, but the verse leaves something to be desired...it's still one of the best tracks, even if I dont know what the lyrics mean

8. "Plan B" - The only real ska-ish song on the whole CD, nice lyrics about giving up and plenty of horns to keep you interested, a good break from all the distortion

9. "Blue Mix" - Heavy song with some great riffs, one of the better tracks

10. "Vultures" - Doesn't really seem to stand out as much as the other tracks, some weird vocals on this one

11. "Car" - A great heavy riff and lyrics about Leonor's dead brother make this one of the better songs on the CD

12. "Eulogy" - A bit of a slow way to end the album but another good track

Five Iron Frenzy's latest album, Electric Boogaloo, is certainly not what I was expecting. The album takes a great departure from the traditional "ska" sound usually found on Five Iron's recordings. The new sound is entirely rock and roll, with horns in the background. It's not a bad direction for the band, as they pull the sound off really well, but fans of the original sound may be disappointed.

The band is at its best on this album, as the tracks fall together just perfectly. The music is outstanding, and outshines any of the other albums before it. The guitars, trumpet, drums and trombone all work together to create a sharp sound that is definitely improved with the excellent sound quality on the album. The songs are enhanced further by Reese's lyrics and powerful vocals. He sings with a passion on all the tracks that reminds me of the power from "Every New Day" from Our Newest Album Ever! He has never sounded better, and his lyrics are just as powerful as his singing. The songs range from girlfriend woes to political issues to the basic message of Christ. The standout tracks on the albums include Far, Far Away, the first radio single for the album. It's a song with a meaningful message and a very catchy tune. The Day We Killed is the political song, sort of like Old West and Banner Year on the previous albums. A lot of emotion is in this song and it takes a couple listens to have it grow on you. Eulogy is my favorite track on the album, as it is an easy listen and beautiful song. It has a haunting quality to it, but there is still an upbeat sound to it. It's about people putting the band on a pedestal and not seeing their message of God. A very powerful song.

Overall, Electric Boogaloo is the most unique Five Iron Frenzy album and the best piece of studio work they have done. The music and lyrics come together to create a memorable and enjoyable recording. Once you learn the words, you can [turn] up the volume and sing at the top of your lungs and have a blast.

Ok, Five Iron Frenzy has a pretty large following, and I've heard a few of their songs before, but never really listened to the music before. This cd was recommended to me, and so I ordered it. And I must say, this stuff rocks! Its true that this cd wanders away from the ska sound of their previous music. (with the exception of one, Plan B) But, their lyrical ability has only improved. And it may not all be ska, but does that mean that they have lost their identity? haha! no way. The cd itself covers a wide area of subjects. Plan B is the story of every teenager on a lazy day. Songs like Pre-Ex Girlfriend, and You Can't Handle This, are the songs that all of us can relate to very well, and are also very funny. Car is in memory of Carlos Ortega, whom Leanor Ortega of the band is related to. And Far, Far Away is a great song with awesome Lyrics with a message behind it. Thats just to name a few. Anyway, In conclusion, this cd is great for newbies at FIF, and, Im pretty sure, old FIF fans too. (The cd face is cool looking too. It looks like a mickey face I once drew...)

I can't say enough good things about this cd. When I first picked it up I was shocked as it was very non-tradoitional FIF. But I put it in my player anyways. When I pressed the play button, the FIF I have known and loved for years came right throuh my cheap speakers. The change sounds great, the bands maturing is incredible but the humour remains in songs like Pre Ex-Girlfriend and The Day We Killed. Far Far Away is certainly the best song since Every New Day. Wow! I love this cd. FIF continues to put out quality albums, and this is no exception. Black and white and non-orthodox but the music kills. The album and the sound have changed, but the quality is still among the best in the biz and easily rivals anything secular.

This new album is different in many ways from previous FIF work, a glance at the cover art alone will tell you that. A different sound in many ways, a bit more electric, the vocals and guitars emphasized, flowing horns but still as tight as ever, more driving rock over ska. But don't let that scare you, this album rocks and it's still FIF. Seeing them in concert a couple weeks ago, I can tell you that they still don't take themselves too seriously. Although I'm a huge FIF fan, I can tell you that there's not a bad song on the album. The lyrics are deep and invite thought ("Car", "Eulogy"), some still carry a sense of humor ("Pre-ex girlfriend", "Plan B"), and share a deeply spiritual message ("Far, far away" - an awesome song). If you are expecting this FIF album to be just like the others (it seems like 180 degrees from "All the Hype...") remember your Handbook For The Sellout and get this CD, it gets better every time you listen to it. Highly recommended!

Up until recently I had known about Five Iron Frenzy, but was never really interested in them. I listen mainly to christian hardcore (Zao, Undeoath, Etc.). One day, however, I decided to give these guys a try, so I bought Electric Boogaloo. I can now say that it was a great decision on my part. This album is incredible. It has the perfect mix of rock and horns. The songs are well written, upbeat, and never get old. On top of that, the vocals are awesome. Reese's vocals shine in songs like Far, Far Away and The Day We Killed. Another bonus is the amount of diversity between songs. Pre-Ex-Girlfriend, Juggernaut, and Plan B are all fun sounding songs. Far, Far Away and Farsighted feature fast tempos and great vocals. The Day We Killed, a song about the transgressions against the Native Americans, is heavier and features the best vocals on the album. Finally, there's Eulogy. This song is reflective, with an incredible chorus, and good, somewhat confusing, lyrics. It also happens to be my favorite FIF song I've heard so far. Electric Boogaloo is more of a rock album, w/ less ska than FIF early albums, but none the less, still a great buy that should be appreciated by a much larger audience.

Five Iron Frenzy was in Orange County in November and I went to their show. Their shows are the best part about the band. Buy the CD and then go to a show. Anyways, at the show they played the first 3 tracks off the CD, and I knew it would be better than the mediocre ALL THE HYPE.. It's FIF anyways so how could I not buy it. I was shocked at how mature it sounded. It was full of emotional serious stuff... with enough satire and outright silliness to hold it all together. The guitars do not stop the whole CD, they did not forsake their PUNK or SKA sides, showing diversity as well as a whole lot of strength.
First Section:
The album opens with four very strong songs:
Pre-ex Girlfriend: awesome in the car, at the show, with your friends, buy the album for this song
Far, Far Away: gets better and better, great radio praise song, and get off the "cheap lyrics" thing-listen to it again
You can't Handle This: Dork rock driven hilarious. period....
Farsighted: FIF signature hopeful song, maybe the best on the album
Second Section:
a very emotional and diverse four songs:
Spartan: SUCKERPUNCH for the Recluse, lyrics drive the power and meaning+hope.
The Day we Killed: Social problems viewed through emotional N.A. massacre protest
Juggernaut: Think GIANTS(the monopoly protest) from the last CD with a better bridge, music, hope, feeling, everything
Plan B: bit of a happy change up, great satire and meaning-classic 5fe
Third Section:
A darker section, very emotional
Blue Mix: worst song on the CD, still rates better than the junk on the radio, the topic of the lyrics and the bridge seems a tad whiny or something... a good song if you're not thinking about the rest of the album.
Vultures: let this one grow on you: may be third best of the CD, it takes a while to understand the hopeful swing from satire to anti-empire anthem. I really like it
Car: beautifull, driving, gritty, what rock was meant to be
Eulogy: I'm a little lost as to the meaning of this song, only they know who there talking about.. closes the album well
overall: leaves you feeling a mature kind of feeling: hopefull
but you really just want to listen to it again because it RAWKS
buy it, and let it speak for itself