Five Iron Frenzy

Item: All the Hype That Money Can Buy
Author: Kevin D. Hendricks

All the Hype That Money Can Buy

(2000)

Reviewed by Kevin D. Hendricks

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label 5 Minute WalkReAL Magazine2000

alternative rock punk ska ska punk

"This album is the first step towards world peace," says bass player Keith Hoerig. And with typical Five Iron Frenzy style comes their third full length studio release, All The Hype That Money Can Buy. It's being billed as more rock, but the band stays true to their ska roots and manages to stray stylistically--enough to keep things interesting.

Five Iron has earned the reputation for being extremely silly one minute and deadly serious the next. All The Hype continues that tradition with songs on the silly end about hairdos (done in big-hair style), the state of Colorado, Larry, and the title track (which has a truthfully sarcastic edge). On the serious end, Five Iron offers plenty for the contemplative mind. Topics include homosexuality, capitalism, unity, hope, and more.

Musically the album is tight. The horn section shows much improvement and the guitars are where they need to be. Five Iron also imported talented, most notably percussionist Karl Perazzo of Santana, showing their stylistic diversity.

The album is book ended with two of the best songs on the CD. 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' opens the album with a call to rise above the mundane and understand the power of the gospel: "I am just a kindred spirit / a runner who is running still. / Welcome to the longest mile, / the most costly thing you'll ever hold, / wonderful is the journey, / the greatest story ever told." The album closes with 'World Without End' (aside from the bonus track, the Tom Jones classic 'It's Not Unusual'), a reflection on God's love with a beautiful choir ending and poetic lyrics: "In the soundless awe and wonder, / words fall short to hope again. / How beautiful, / how vast your love is, / new forever / world without an end." These two songs showcase Five Iron's intensely spiritual side and are reminiscent of previous Five Iron hits like 'Every New Day,' 'Dandelions,' and 'A Flowery Song.'

Two consecutive tracks, 'Fahrenheit' and 'Four-Fifty-One,' explore a darker lyrical vein and will probably draw flak. You can't escape the obvious allusion to the Ray Bradbury novel, Fahrenheit 451. 'Fahrenheit' explores the Christian's reaction to homosexuals and 'Four-Fifty-One' is essentially an attack on lukewarm Christianity, and the band isn't afraid to point the finger at radio stations and record companies: "The radio is preaching the candy coated goo, / the record companies and the TV too. / No one rocks the boat, / terrified of trouble, / can't tamper with the walls of their sterile Christian bubble. / It was never your point to get people saved, / you pad yourself with fluff just because you're afraid. / I'm not afraid to point the finger now, / the choir's so used to the preaching anyhow."

A number of songs on the CD deserve mention, including the Columbine-inspired 'A New Hope,' 'Me Oh My!' which celebrates the coming of Christ, and 'Giants'" the most experimental song on the album with it's 'fun-house' feel and anthem-like ending.

When it's all said and done Five Iron Frenzy lives up to their own hype. This album proves their staying power as an innovative and prophetic band. All The Hype That Money Can Buy will probably be lost on many, but those who stick it out will be blessed with a top-notch release that wrestles with tough issues and makes declarative statements without the triteness that has come to characterize Christian music.