NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–There are only a handful of bands that can release an album entitled “Electric Boogaloo” and still deliver a serious message. Yet, Five Iron Frenzy has done it again.
“Five Iron Frenzy2: Electric Boogaloo” is the newest collection from the popular ska band.
The dust has nearly cleared from the uprising in the late 90’s against ska music, basically a music genre that combines punk rock with a brass section. Today there are only a few bands left standing. The two left in the Christian scene are The O.C. Supertones and Five Iron Frenzy.
Both bands have had an uphill climb and adapted their styles to fit other genres of music in order to keep alive. For instance, the Supertones took after more hard rock bands, leaving the punk style behind.
Five Iron Frenzy, on the other hand, created a style of their own. From a mainstream perspective, the octet can be described as Mighty Mighty Bosstones meets Greenday with an occasional Blink 182 and Weezer sound flung in.
The success of “Five Iron Frenzy2: Electric Boogaloo” is the final piece of evidence needed to prove that their new style has survived. It’s clear that Five Iron Frenzy is here to stay.
The band is clearly talented. I can listen to them over and over again, and still laugh. Their often-hilarious lyrics and songs fall on the extreme side of tongue-in-cheek.
The best thing Five Iron Frenzy has to offer is their diverse sound. Just when you think that they are going to cross the line into complete absolute absurdity, they switch the mood into a thoughtful vertical focused anthem, and then back again.
I’m convinced that Five Iron’s most vital asset has to be frontman Reese Roper. His voice is perfect for their style of music and he has a knack for writing. He captures the mood with the intensity of his voice, and he can so easily switch from sarcastic lyrics to thought-provoking honesty about Christianity with ease.
In fact, “Electric Boogaloo” includes numerous serious songs such as “Far, Far, Away,” “Spartan,” and “Eulogy,” and its cover depicts the eight members staring beyond a hill in the background, implying a serious touch. Instead of finding cartoon characters or wacky costumes on the inside cover, you’ll find the band’s instruments burning in a giant bonfire.
But don’t be fooled. The zany side of FIF is ever present in songs like “Pre-Ex-Girlfriend,” “Vultures,” and “Plan B.” I hate to live the day in which this band looses its sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek edge.
This album gives you all of it that you can fit onto a CD.
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