Review: Five for Fighting – Slice

A little about the artist

Born in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley and raised in a musical family, John Ondrasik was just two when he started playing piano, later adding guitar. Yet it wasn’t for almost three decades (and four years after the release of the debut Five for Fighting album, Message for Albert), before he became a mainstream star via Superman from the critically lauded America Town album, which Ondrasik and company followed up in 2004 with The Battle for Everything, a springboard for the classic 100 Years.

The album Slice takes stories of friends, family and even American servicemen, and sets them to music shot through with the spirit of the great songs of Ondrasik’s youth.

My thoughts

Thanks to the One2One Network for providing me the opportunity to own and listen to the new Five for Fighting album Slice before its release on Tuesday, October 13th. Filled with the familiar mellow sounds we have come to expect from Five for Fighting, Slice delivers songs that are reflective of life and the world as it was yesterday and as it is today.

Ondrasik’s voice is memorable, but the sound may seem repetitive to many. I admit I listened to a few songs then turned it off the first listen. Then, on a Saturday drive out to Radford I popped it in again and really listened; and now, as I write this.

My first thoughts are of a reminiscing nature, days gone by and people long since gone. But I am a bit of a sappy day-dreamer, lost in thought and reflective on the past, or hopeful of the future. Slice has a good meditative sound. Let your thoughts go, close your eyes, and let the music wash over you. Then listen to the words. There is something of meaning behind each song, each lyric. My favorites include The Dance and Story of Your Life. The song Above the Timberline reminds me of the style of James Taylor [one of my, if not the, all time favorites].

I love music in all its many forms. Good music can take you to higher planes of consciousness or lift your mood. It can make you forget your troubles for a while or remind you of what is truly important. Five for Fighting inspires and reflects, reminding you of the simpler things. If you are looking for something uplifting with a deeper meaning, then Five for Fighting delivers with their new album Slice.

Slice includes 11 songs, leading with the release of the single Chances.

1. Slice
2. Note to the Unknown Soldier
3. Tuesday
4. Chances
5. This Dance
6. Above the Timberline
7. Transfer
8. Hope
9. Story of Your Life
10. Love Can’t Change the Weather
11. Augie Nieto

Watch for upcoming appearances of Five for Fighting

• The View – 10/14
• Today Show on NBC – 10/16

This would be a great time to break out those Swagbucks and head on over to Amazon and order yours today. Or purchase from iTunes and for $1 more you will get the bonus track Nowhere Bar (this was not included in my copy).

Every round I try to write the best songs I can, and perhaps step out of the box a bit. To me, records are about offering my worldview while providing sentiments to which people may attach themselves or escape into. Slice is where I’ve come from, where I am, and a few scraps I’ve picked up in between. All in a slice of time.

- John Ondrasik

Don’t forget to check out the Five for Fighting web site for tour dates, more information about the band, and to watch a performance of Chances as seen on ABC’s Music Lounge.

Disclaimer: I received the album free for the purposes of writing this review. My opinions and thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by the One2One Network or Five for Fighting.