Salocin

The Battle For Everything

Five for Fighting's new album, is a strong follow-up to John Ondrasik's previous release, the amazing America Town, which contained Superman, a track so popular with hollywood that it found its way into Smallville, Dawson's Creek and Bandits, and remains emotional to listen to despite this abuse.

While the album works well as a continuation of their rejuvenation of melodic soft rock, new influences become apparent in some of the tracks, with a slightly retro feel a few of the tunes, and some nods towards more mainstream rock bands in the blurred chords of tracks such as The Taste. The blockbuster song on this album that will undoubtedly be far too often compared to Superman from America Town is 100 Years, a beautifully melodic, piano-led tune that makes you want to stop breathing until it's over.

Although there was less for me personally on this album than on the last one, it's still a pearl and combining the last 3 albums, I can now burn myself a CD of my own personal America Town favourites which, as one-band track compilations go, rocks.

It's nice to know that amidst the furore of music piracy, lawsuits and all the shitty music these things protect, there are songwriters and musicians out there, such as this band, that are exercising their skills to produce tunes that defy the trend towards manufactured music. If you like these tracks, pay these guys the respect they deserve and buy the album.