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Five For Fighting

The Battle For Everything

Aware/Columbia

http://www.fiveforfighting.com

                He’s more than a bird, he’s more than a plane, and, contrary to what one might readily suspect, John Ondrasik is more than “Superman (It’s Not Easy).” Ondrasik, who is Five For Fighting rather in the way that Roddy Frame was Aztec Camera, has a voice that’s along the lines of Dave Matthews and John Mayer, making him easy to program on adult alternative radio but, unfortunately, just as easy to ignore.  That would be unwise.  Rather than containing a whole lot of guitar wank-a-thons, The Battle For Everything is instead reminiscent of Marc Cohn’s work from the early ‘90s; in fact, first single “100 Years” is a none-too-distant piano-driven cousin of “Walking In Memphis.”  But the rock-out “The Taste” sure as hell isn’t; Ondrasik is pounding the keys like Ben Folds on “Julianne.”  And like Folds, he gets a little smart-ass in his lyrics, such as commenting on his past success on “Disneyland,” and how, in the Magic Kingdom, “the crocs sing ‘Superman’ ‘til we just can’t take it.”  Although “Dying” sounds like the sure bet for the follow-up to “100 Years,” with any luck, the label will take the chance and release the far-superior “Maybe I” instead.

(originally appeared in Amplifier Magazine)

The Flexible Flyers

Church of Dreams

Reptile House

http://www.churchofdreams.com

The website set up to hype this album opens with the following paragraph: “In the Fantasy Music Café, at a side table, The Beatles are discussing philosophy with Mose Allison and Bob Dylan. Onstage, They Might Be Giants are jamming with Little Walter, as overhead the astral ghost of Syd Barrett strums eerie chords on a transparent Electric Sitar. The Barenaked Ladies and Moxy Fruvous peek through the window at Lou Reed, who wipes down the bar and pours a drink for Tom Waits. Suddenly, there's a drum roll, and MC Bootsy Collins announces the next act...The Muppets performing their set of covers by the Damned!” If you suspect that the Flexible Flyers’ Church of Dreams can’t possibly live up to being a combination of all of these artists…well, you’re right. It doesn’t even come close. It’s undeniable that Dr. Toddzilla…a.k.a. Todd Perkins, the man behind the Flyers…is a man who loves to write and play music, but, alas, the enthusiasm that shines through every moment of this disc doesn’t consistently translate into memorable songs. The last quarter of the album, which includes the title track, is where the strongest material is stored, but, sadly, it’s too little too late.

(originally appeared in Amplifier Magazine)