CD Review: FIF "The Electric Boogaloo".

Five Iron Frenzy's new release has a deceptively silly name. Though the band is known for being goofy at times, the goofiness stops with the name on this one. In general, I'd rate this 2.5 stars. Not as good as their normal fare, but I can't help but like what's always been my favorite band. This album took longer to grow on me - it was, shall we say, love at fourth sight.

Vital Statistics:
Length: 40 minutes, 12 songs
Best Track: Far, Far, Away
Worst Track: Vultures.
Released: Nov. 20, 2001
5th Album (excluding live album).

In "The Electric Boogaloo", FIF transcends their normal lean & mean lyrics - now they're just skinny and pissed.* Of the CD's dozen tracks, six express FIF's disgust with Americana and the materialist dream. Just one song is lighthearted - Can't Handle This - and just that one, Far, Far Away and Farsighted are optimistic. OK, so statistics and music aren't made for each other, but I think it's better than just giving my biased opinion.

I don't like making spiritual assessments based on a band's lyrics, just as I would not want to be called "unchristian" if I failed to mention Jesus Christ at least once a week on my blog. But I will say that as one would expect, their lyrics are getting deeper and they are able to be more vulnerable in singing about heavy hearts and failings. Interestingly, they make a very strong indictment of some unnamed Christian bands in "Blue Mix." I don't know what a Blue Mix is (shout out anyone?), but they sing "under the guise of Jesus Christ, beneath the vibe and all the lights, they lie, these spies.... You are responsible to watch what you buy. These bands that you love, pull the wool over your eyes." I think it's a little reprehensible of them to give such a blanket accusation without putting specifics, say in a footnote. The point is well taken, but hard to act on. CCM isn't gonna lambaste their own bands, and there isn't much of a watchdog media out there.

As far as music, I don't pretend to be a musician or anything close. But I'd say their sound is a little punkier, less ska and brass-based than in the past. I have to say that disappointed me a little - they make a lot of noise about being independent, but tend to follow trends pretty closely. Ska is going out (boohoo) -- Spinner got rid of their "SKA" channel a month ago. So, like the Supertones and Insyderz, FIF has followed the crowd. Sounds to me like they're saying "Are we cool enough for you NOW??" (sorry, inside joke for FIF fans).

My recommendation is not to use this as an introduction to FIF. Go with the "Proof That The Youth Are Revolting" or "All The Hype" if you don't know the group. They're a good bunch - especially if you like to be challenged on your political views. They're good living proof that "Christian" does not equal "Conservative." You can be a little socialist and still go to church... in Colorado, no less! Go for this album if you're a Christian alternative fan, or if you like the idea of "skunk" (=ska + punk) and Reese Roper emoting about the battle of Wounded Knee, materialism, and his pre-ex-girlfriend.

*(yeah, that's a Scott Adams ripoff)