Five for Fighting - The Battle For Everything

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Free Music Notes for The Battle For Everything

Free Music Review: Winning the War
Hit: 5 Stars

Ondrasik really runs the vocal gamut on this album. His low notes resemble a subdued Adam Duritz, while his free-flying falsetto is sometimes reminiscent of the late Jeff Buckley. The best part is he never stops sounding like John Ondrasik. While some musicians seek to imitate, Ondrasik sticks to what he does best: being himself.

The use of strings is prevalent on this album, and only serves to enhance the emotion of each song. Ondrasik is at his Elton John best on "Disneyland," with a dramatic chorus that echoes "Tiny Dancer."

"100 Years" is the album's first single. While I personally enjoy the song, I'm disappointed that it's nearly identical in sound and structure to "Superman," the first single from "America Town."

A true highlight on "The Battle," "Dying" is a slow, moving piano ballad that mourns a relationship gone wrong. A perfect centerpiece for the album, and one of my favorite tracks.

The award for best track is shared by "The Devil in the Wishing Well" and "Nobody". "The Devil..." is a catchy Elton-eqsue guitar/piano tune that begs to be put on repeat. "Nobody" starts out slow and soothing a la "Sullivan Street," picks up steam on the first chorus and doesn't look back after the bridge. Ondrasik adds to the effect with a monologue that would make Diana Ross jealous.

"The Taste" is my least favorite track. It sounds like John Ondrasik tried to write his own "Mojo Pin". Like the Buckley song, it starts out slow and soft, then kicks into a harder rocking chorus with a different time signature. "The Taste" is really good once it gets going - it's just the verse/chorus struggle in the first half that makes it difficult to listen to. It will probably grow on me, but it's no "Mojo Pin."

Overall, I was impressed with this follow-up to "America Town," especially after a couple of listens. It's an album that is almost instantly likeable, and only grows on you with time. I will be among the first in line to buy the next Five For Fighting album. If "The Battle for Everything" is any indication, John Ondrasik is winning the war.

The Battle For Everything Poster

DVD SIDE: * Entire album in 5.1 Surround Sound and enhanced LPCM Stereo * Exclusive documentary with never-before-seen "in the studio" footage * "100 Years" video and making-of video * Acoustic performances * Discography This disc is intended to play on standard DVD and CD players. May not play on a limited number of models.

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