It came as no surprise to discover that Five For Fighting is one man’s dream, or, as may be stated, a one trick pony. While the album has some truly beautiful moments, (the chorus of “Easy Tonight,” the chorus of “Superman,” and various bits and pieces of lyrical beauty, such as “…I’m out of love again, but I got your stuff…”), the overall effect of the disc borders on monotony. There is something to be said about collaboration, the art of working as a unit, that brings different textures to any artistic project. Here we have twelve tracks that sound a little too similar. “Michael Jordan” goes to darker places that the rest of the disc doesn’t, but that’s only one track.

Don’t be mistaken: this is a far-reaching and well thought-out record. The problem is that it gets a little tedious about halfway through. John Ondrasik, the sole member of Five For Fighting, has a unique voice that eventually begins to irk the listener. While the music does vary at times, it tends to sound a little too much like Dave Matthews, with a whiny, mellow-toned vocal floating above it all. While that may be a major selling point for some, it will definitely be a turn off to just as many.

You may have heard “Superman,” a very nice, intense song on “Dawson’s Creek,” and if so, you may be running out to purchase this disc. You may love it, you may hate it, but in either way, you’ll hope that John Ondrasik works with some other people the next time around.. A different voice, both physically and subjectively, could be what’s needed to give this guy a huge push towards major recognition. I won’t even comment on his overworked EE-NUN-SEE-AY-SHUN. Oh wait, I just did.
Five For Fighting

America Town

(Aware/Columbia)

reviewed by j bloomrosen