Five for Fighting - Two Lights
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Free Music Notes for Two Lights
Free Music Review: Absolutely Worthwhile
Hit: 5 Stars
Can't understand why a number of people have knocked TWO LIGHTS. I've found something to love on each Five For Fighting album and this is no exception. Do I love every track? No, but I've never met a CD, by anyone, about which I can claim that.
John Ondrasik brings us more of his wonderful signature sound. "Johnny America" is a fun ride, but in the fine tradition of men writing songs about little girls who touch their hearts (Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Clair" and Chris Rea's "Julia" come to mind), "I Just Love You" is worth the price of admission all by itself. Unlike the aforementioned tunes, though, "I Just Love You" is an evocative and movingly poignant song that makes clear just how deeply the singer loves his small daughter.
You may not love EVERY song on this CD, but if you love Five For Fighting, buy it. Buy it now.
Free Music Review: A Few Choice Cuts, But Nothing Spectacular...
Hit: 3 Stars
In 2001 John Ondrasik, better known as Five For Fighting, hit creative paydirt with the tremendous success of his single "Superman (It's Not Easy)," which became a bona fide 9/11 anthem. He followed that up splendidly with "100 Years" from his impressive 2004 album "The Battle For Everything." A sappy pop rock ditty tailor-made for many a senior prom slideshow presentation, it remains an Adult Contemporary radio staple. On the heels of this considerable success, Ondrasik has hit a creative plateau with his new record, "Two Lights."
To say there is a problem with the album is incorrect. However, nothing immediately sticks out as unique, particularly moving, or more than mildly catchy. "The Riddle" is a fine choice for lead single and has the same spare singer/songwriter mentality and melancholy undertones and as his aforementioned smash singles. Lyrics pour left and right in a stream-of-conscious fashion and pearls of wisdom abound, but don't expect this single to reach half the prominence of his previous hits.
Ondrasik also ruminates about the ambiguity of patriotism in "Freedom Never Cries," where he takes a flag to a pawn shop, while also articulating pure romance in the best and simplest way with "I Just Love You." The title track also has a standout chorus and poignant lyrics that manage to be personal and universal all at once.
"Tear out my heart/Feed it to lions/For this one wish I beg you this tonight/Show me no mercy/But spare me my pride/I'm going for a drive/And if you find out he's coming home/When I come around the corner/I'll know that it's alright/Just leave me two lights."
Only a handful of tracks go beyond piano/vocal simplicity, but those that do are worthy of note. For example, "65 Mustang" has questionable lyrics but has downright rousing instrumentation and confident vocal delivery, while "Policeman's Xmas Party" is unmistakably bizarre with both its eyebrow-raising subject matter and its spaced-out arrangement. Also, "California Justice" takes a stab at Springsteen's storytelling style and basically succeeds, along with a pretty sharp hook and an interesting tale to boot.
Last but not least, "Road to Heaven," despite meandering lyrics, is a winner due to its central message, passionate performance, opening music box notes and stark arrangement which fits it like a glove, while "Johnny America," a foot-tapping piece of southern rock, is a fun way to close the album.
Overall, there are many compliments one can bestow on "Two Lights." However, there is nothing here that hasn't been heard before from many a singer/songwriter in terms of subject matter, sonic appeal, and overall holistic outcome. While there are many admirable tracks on the album, in the end the collection works better as warm background music to do paperwork to. Still, while "The Battle For Everything" definitely was a better overall record, one must concede Ondrasik has stuck to the same creative formula that worked for him in the past, which may be sufficient to satisfy some listeners.
Free Music Review: Not on Par
Hit: 3 Stars
I was very excited to pop this album into my CD player after liking both America Town and The Battle for Everything. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
America Town bubbles over with bittersweet songs with an often bizarre twist ("The children gave their blessing though the service weren't half-done / each of them sued the other one" in The Last Great American and "Put away your dinner and have a snack /Tie your little brother up in a sack now" in Love Song.) Though somewhat disturbing and darkly funny, this is the sound that I came to love Ondrasik for.
The Battle for Everything did not disappoint me here either. Though softening with songs like NYC Weather Report and 100 Years, there were still some tracks that, under the dark humor, lie sardonic truths. Examples of these songs would be "The Devil and the Wishing Well" and "Disneyland".
But now enter Two Lights. Gone are the days of America Town's witty, pointed lyrics. Replacing them are cliche piano ballads, slightly stale chords, and a myriad of overused ideas.
The CD opens with "Freedom Never Cries", which is heavy on repetition. The idea behind the song is not bad ("Took a flag to a pawn shop for a broken guitar") but the message just doesn't make it.
"World" too has a decent vision behind it
("What kind of world do you want?
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now.")
Like "Freedom Never Cries" it is a soft piano ballad, and as such the magnitude of the opportunity of changing the world doesn't sit as heavy as he intended it.
"California Justice" is more along the lines of what Five for Fighting hooked me with. A story (based on true experiences) about a surfer who kills a man and gets away with it, its lyrics give the usual thrust in the political and social ribs that I have come to love. "Killed a man, I don't know what the fuss is, I'm just looking for some California justice."
And then we come to "The Riddle". Another piano ballad, albeit crafted better than the previous two. It follows the tried and true formula of reflection on life, simple truths, and stirring piano overtones.
"Two Lights" is not bad either, with pensive and sad lyrics.
"65 Mustang" is a fun song. It really has no purpose, but it's upbeat and reminds us of the carefree days of driving in a convertable. "She knows my secrets well, but her backseat won't never tell."
"I Just Love You" is another piano ballad. As its name implies, it's sappy almost to the point of cliche. The only moving part of the song is where John reveals that it's not his wife with whom he's talking, but his daughter.
"Policeman's X-Mas Party" is twisted and upbeat, but where "Love Song" in America Town had a prominent social jab at the failing families of today, no such thing exists here.
I had hope for "Johnny America" when I saw the title. Obviously a personification of the country, I thought it would be chock-full of political ironies and advice. Instead it offers a patriotic, hopeful look at our young nation.
"There goes Johnny America
Riding Hard up Mission Hill
Some think he'll make it to the top today
Some say he never will
Though he's just a child at heart
He's old enough to fall
Nobody in 100 years
Can touch him faults and all..."
All in all, if you liked the first two albums, prepare to be let down. Though producing several "not bad" songs, it would be better to hope and wait the next album is a little better than the last.
Free Music Review: Great Storytelling That Grows on You
Hit: 4 Stars
My primary recommendation for enjoying the album "Two Lights" is that you put it into your iTunes mix (or your CD player) and just let it play without focusing on it. Why? Because most of the songs here start a little slow in comparison to, say, "Superman" or "100 Years," so it's easy to think, "Man, he's lost it." When I just let the album play and got busy with work, though, after a while I found myself repeatedly pausing to listen and think, "Hey, that's good...who is it?"
The savior of this album, for me, is the lyrics. That is, most of these are great stories relating to family or the state of the U.S. and the world. "World," in fact, is all about deciding what kind of world you want it to be, because your choices make a difference. "Johnny America" and "Freedom Never Cries," on the other hand, are about the impact of America on the world -- good or bad. While "The Riddle" focuses on what a father teaches a son about living life and "I Just Love You" rings particularly true to anyone who loves a wife, husband, child, or parent well beyond the point of having particular reasons for doing so.
That said, "California Justice" and "Policeman's Xmas Party" don't do much for me, but they're OK. "65 Mustang" is light and fun to drive to -- no surprise there. And while I can't blame anyone for thinking, "Get to the point, will you?" on several of the songs, once they get going, they're well worth the listen.
My personal favorites? "The Riddle" (both versions), "World," "Two Lights," and "I Just Love You."
"Two Lights" isn't a really GREAT album, but if you enjoy Ondrasik's brilliant lyrics and light, crisp piano style, you should give this album the try it deserves.
Free Music Review: Incredibly disappointing
Hit: 2 Stars
I've been a fan of FFF since hearing "Bella's Birthday Cake" & picking up the debut "Message for Albert," and this album is by far the weakest. While "Message for Albert" & "Battle for Everything" rank as the best with excellent stuff throughout, "America Town" is just an alright album, with some stellar stuff and some blah. "Two Lights" has some downright bad tunes (Freedom Never Cries, Road to Heaven), lots of blah and nothing stellar, though "65 Mustangs," "I Just Love You," and "The Riddle" are all above average songs. I was really happy John got two huge hits off the previous two albums, but I don't hear one here (maybe "65 Mustang"). This CD is definitely John's lightest to date (certainly a departure from "Albert"). Overall, I'm just really disappointed with this one. John seems to be on a one-great/one-not-so CD release schedule, so maybe the next one will be stellar again. In the meantime, just stick to "Albert" & "Everything," followed by "America Town" if for no other reason than to get "Superman". This is easily a skippable CD. [The Best Buy version has an unreleased tune in "Drive You On" & "100 Years" (acoustic). The former is another forgettable one and the acoustic version is fine, but nothing compared to the original since it's missing piano.]