After a long wait, Five Iron Frenzy has hit us with their 6th release, Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo. Yes, it's a slight change from recent projects, but it is most definitely a change for the better.
The album starts out with "Pre-Ex Girlfriend," which has a bit more of a punkish sound. It is similar to recent stuff, and could probably be compared to "Arnold, Willis, And Mr. Drummond." It's kind of a funny song, especially when lead singer Reese breaks in to ask a girl "out." Track number two is "Far Far Away." It reminds me somewhat of Weezer's "Hash Pipe," so it is a bit of a change from the first song. It's a happy tune, and has great lyrics.
"You Can't Handle This," follows. It is somewhat like "Far Far Away," and has that Weezer-ish sound. Following is "Farsighted," which is like the previous two but maybe has a bit of a harder sound. "Spartan," is another track I recommend. It is more of a pop-ish rock song, with the horns chiming in towards the chorus. "The Day We Killed," has a harder edge to it as compared to the previous songs on the album. Lead singer Reese Roper uses a weird, scream-like voice, and I'm not sure if I really like it or not. "Juggernaut," is another pop/rock song. "Plan B," track 8 on the album, is a happy song that makes you snap your fingers and shows more of their original ska sound.
"Blue Mix," is similar to the previous "The Day We Killed." "Vultures," is a funny song and it's something expected on every Five Iron album. It has more of the ska sound added into it as well. The next song, "Car," is similar to "Hurricanes" from their previous album. It has a kind of "Spanish" sound mixed into it. The last song is "Eulogy" and is a pop-rock song, which ends the album well.
Overall, I was thrilled with Five Iron Frenzy's new album. It had a bit of change and progression from their albums and I enjoyed it. It was a nice blend of their old sounds with some newer stuff. Thumbs up to them!
Amber's Score: 4/5
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Josh HurstI am a Five Iron Frenzy fan, though I've fought it every step of the way. When the group released their debut album, Upbeats and Beatdowns, a few years ago, I shrugged them off as just another band jumping onto the ska bandwagon, which was quite trendy at that time. Just some silly Christian rock group with horn players. What could be good about that? Five Iron Frenzy wouldn't last long. Well, it…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Olin JenkinsI've been waiting for this one for over two albums now! While I enjoyed the live Proof That the Youth Are Revolting and FIF's return to the studio with All the Hype That Money Can Buy, something was missing from the last studio project (including heavy cynicism, e.g. "Four-Fifty-One"), and that's the zany trademark quality of Five Iron Frenzy. From the first moments of "Pre-Ex-Girlfriend" from…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksI'd consider myself a Five Iron Frenzy fan from the beginning. The night I bought their debut CD I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. listening to the album and reading the lyrics. I've attended a dozen Five Iron concerts, and I've even interviewed members of the band more times than I can remember. Yet I'm not sure what to think of Electric Boogaloo, their newest album ever. For some it won't be punk…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksThe Denver-based band is back with their newest album ever, and you might be in for a surprise. They've left the off-beats of third wave ska behind for the greener pastures of musical diversity. If you're looking for another FIF CD of skankin' hits, this isn't it. After the shock wears off, you'll find another album of passionate lyrics set to passionate music. Of course they don't leave their…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadI was almost ready to dismiss Five Iron Frenzy as a "has been," no longer able to make quality music since Ska has faded from the spotlight. Their last record, All the Hype That Money Can Buy, left me much less than impressed with the band's ability to overcome the death of Ska. However, on Electric Boogaloo, the ex-thrash and now ex-Ska band has reinvented their sound and, to a certain degree,…Similar sounding releases
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