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41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful music., January 10, 2002
If you have heard the two singles, Easy Tonight and Superman, then you know exactally what to expect. A pretty decent voice, good production, and a lot of piano. The album flows very, very nicely and really doesn't have too many spots where you want to skip to the next track, well just one I can think of.
Five For Fighting (FFF) has a knack for writing songs that were probably based on him sitting around a piano, and then adding other instruments in when recording. Well, "throwing them in" takes away from FFF's obvious production talent.
I believe that Superman and Easy Tonight are only the beginning of FFF's airplay. There are many, many other great tracks, with plenty of emotional, thoughtful lyrics to keep listeners happy. Other than the first two singles, the best tracks are Bloody Mary, America Town, Something About You, and Out of Love. My favorite song on the album is Love Song, which is the best song I have ever heard about coping with the divorce of one's parents.
I do have two complaints about the album. When I got this album, I happened to notice that their first album was also just rereleased. After falling in love with this one, I went back and purchased it. Love Song appears on both albums, but is much more powerful on the original recording. Partly due to the minimalistic production, but mostly because of the raw emotion in Jon's voice on the original. I wish they had put the original on this album, and not rerecorded it. That said, it is still my favorite on this album. The only other problem is Boat Parade. The end of the song gets loud and overbearing, which kills the mood of the album for about a minute. Small complaints though, for an otherwise excellent album.
I highly recomend purchasing this album for anyone who loves music. Not just Adult Contemporary, or Pop. This album has something for everyone. Great Songwriting, and relaxing, thoughtful music.
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38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You won't be fighting this one!, October 6, 2000
"America Town" is an album I thought would never happen. No offense to the band but the last album was so GREAT and SO dismissed, by their previous label, I never thought I would see these guys again. Good News, now listen up.Step one buy this album if you.... a) enjoy Elton John, Counting Crows, & Toad The Wet Sprocket b) enjoy lyrics deeper than the ocean but manage to fill a small void in your mind. (most importantly) c) love GREAT MUSIC! From beginning to end you move from one mood to the next beginning with "Easy Tonight" a tune dealing with a man/woman on the verge of leaving the planet "Shotgun fire, anybody home, I got two dimes in the telephone, alright It's not easy tonight". Optimistic right? Well, there is the inevitable hope in the music that carries you from depression into evolution. The last track "Alright" is an optimistic number touting "Well I'm alright, alright, I feel alright I've never been better in my life". This song is actually a bit more complicated but point made. Their first album, "Message For Albert" is just as good if not slightly less focused but more daring than this release. In fact, both "The Last Great American" & "Love Song", originally found on the first album, are retooled for this release. Better on the first(TLGA) and not quite as effective on the later(LS). I really can't recommend this album enough. I have had a pre-mix version in my possession for over a month and this release is even more engrossing. Trust me and the other reviewers here, You are listening to one of the finest budding musicians on the scene today. You go J.O.!
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If You Could Hear Me, I Am Shouting At The Top Of My Lungs, September 27, 2000
It's not often that a record inspires you to get on top of a soapbox and scream at the world to pay attention. Amid the songs on the radio that pass as "music" these days, Five For Fighting's "America Town" rises above the morass as redemption for artists everywhere. Simply put, Five For Fighting reminds us (the music lover) of the splendor of pop music.Lyrically, songwriter John Ondrasik is a master of expression. Without exception, there is great depth to all 12 songs on the album. However, the depth does not detract from the fun. My favorite track, "America Town," has particular relevance in this election year. To me, it is a song about searching for someone to look up to as a leader or hero in a day where few are readily recognizable. The song is an interesting contrast to the tribute paid to another "hero" on "Michael Jordan." While I have read a couple of album reviews that compare Five For Fighting to artists including Dave Matthews, Ben Folds Five, Elton John, U2 and Counting Crows, the total package is greater than the sum of its parts. If you want to do something wonderful for yourself, pick up a copy of this album. It will outlast the best of your record collection.
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by Five for Fighting 
