Customer Reviews

Morning Over Midnight

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, 2006 seems to be off to a running start with Fivespeed's major label debut album, Morning Over Midnight. They fit nicely in the nu-new wave of cool hard rock bands such as 10 Years, Evans Blue, Hinder, HURT, and Flyleaf.

The album has its choice of singles - with hooky crunch guitar work and timely drumming. Of course, it has a couple songs that just seemed to be thrown in there to reach 10-tracks and make it officially 'an album'. I would of like to of seen the guys use the new powerful material and remix some of their better old stuff to make a better gem.

Still a great album, and sadly, one of the few choices to turn to for good new hard rock without running into a whiney emo band or a depressed indie.

Fivespeed is a safe bet and a great album, but no five-star.

THE BAND: Jared Woosley (vocals), Jesse Lacross (guitars), Brad Cole (guitars), Matt Turner (bass), Shane Addington (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (2006) 10 tracks clocking in at just under 37 minutes. Included with the disc is a 4-page foldout containing song titles/credits, song lyrics, band photos, and thank you's. Amazon has this listed as "enhanced", but I've found nothing in the way of extras when I insert this disc into my PC. Recorded at The Farm (Vancouver, BC), The Saltmine Studio Oasis (Mesa, AZ) and Mirror Image (NYC). All songs written by Fivespeed. Label - Virgin Records.

COMMENTS: The opening two tracks are what hooked me into buying this disc. I found out after the fact that Fivespeed call their home town Peoria, AZ... and I dig supporting the locals bands - especially when it's worthy. The band's website considers this album their debut (1st on a major label). However, I found out that "Morning Over Midnight" is their 2nd release... their first being "Trade In Your Halo" (2002) on Sunset Alliance - an independent label. The songs here sound vaguely familiar on "Morning Over Midnight". Fivespeed is good rock music - but dare I say it's nothing totally original. I hear common elements of Jimmy Eat World, Hoobastank, Breaking Benjamin, Blink 182 and Jane's Addiction. 9 of the 10 songs are in the 3-minute range... only 1 song - the hit worthy touching power ballad, "Touch Of One" is over 4 minutes. The last track is a nice acoustic ballad - somehow reminds me of something the band Tesla might do. I lean toward the harder rocking songs, of which "Fair Trade", "The Mess", "Vegas" and "Lights" are my favorites. Lots of electric guitar highlights, and some equally nice acoustic moments too. A good album that's better than a lot of the [....] being released these days. To date, only a few reviews here have been posted - hope this Arizona band makes it past their debut (4 stars).

This is an outstanding album crafted by a group of mature musicians with something to say and the musicianship to say it beautifully. The track "Morning Over Midnight" is one of the most moving songs I have heard in years and certainly stands in the same company as the recent emotive ballads of Velvet Revolver and Metallica. But listen carefully to "Wait Forever" and "Misery Loves Company" and you hear talent and depth that escapes most of the rock genre these days. I love this album and have recommended it to my friends, most of whom already know about this group!
Great album!

So you like Recover right? Well you'll love Morning Over Midnight.

Yeah, Fivespeed definitely share a comparable guitar-drilling melodic rock discharge that echoes those Texan cobras Recover. It's just surprising the fine Morning Over Midnight was released on Virgin. Go figure, but don't let your stubborn indie-punk-rock heart overlook this crystalline sounding rock release, because it's a damn fine one.

My first introduction to the Phoenix, Arizona based outfit was the Bella EP released by Equal Vision (which is only available through the internet or straight from the band). The short fiery four-track tease contained a whole hell of a lot of energy. The tracks "The Mess" and "Vegas" make their way over on the new full-length, but they are just a few gems among many.

From the opener, "Fair Trade," Fivespeed's great drive is felt while Jared Woosley's strong vocals are upfront and powerful. Loud, echoing dynamic guitars fill every inch of your ears. "Blame It On You," "Touch Of One," and "Misery Loves Company" slow the pace and heart down a little, but they don't hinder Morning Over Midnight's rock momentum. This is a sold effort that borrows the power of post-hardcore while fusing a melodic-rock output worth indulging yourself in.

Recover fans, take notice.

Morning Over Midnight is your typical, generic hard rock record, with all the fixings and not as much style. Traces of all your favorites can be heard on this 10 song, major label release, but with the ammount of favorites most people have, there isn't really a need for a band like fivespeed. Generic to it's core, and only worthy of a listen when everything else has been played out, Morning Over Midnight is painfully bland.