What a remarkable debut. Ska group Five Iron Frenzy bounces along at a great pace, which is always fun--but they've wedded the party music with amazingly serious and deep lyrics. The opening salvo, "Old West," is an indictment against "Christians" who only consider missionary work as a method of stealing land (think the Crusades). "Faking Life" points out the urgency of seeking salvation ("Why doubt the life He offers ... who knows if we've got time"), while the moody "I Feel Lucky" points at the emptiness of life without Christ ("our hearts are black"). Other songs deal with the lure of peer pressure, Christians who are more interested in the cause than in serving the Christ, and an ode to "Superhero" Combat Chuck. Upbeats and Beatdowns is also chock full of superb musicianship, with rockin' guitars and a slammin' horn section, and even a wacky ode to West Side Story. Five Iron Frenzy is certainly five-alarm fun.
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 1997Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksThis is a fast paced, fun album. It hardly ever slows down, and when it does, it's only long enough to say, "Shut up." It may sound a little less polished in comparison with Our Newest Album Ever, but that's probably because it is. Upbeats and Beatdowns was recorded in seven days, while the drums alone took seven days to record on Our Newest Album Ever. But that doesn't mean this album is…Similar sounding releases
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2000All the Hype That Money Can Buy
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1997Our Newest Album Ever!
