A force to be reckoned with
Need a caffeinated boost but a little short on cash for that caramel macchiato from Starbucks? Well, we may have just stumbled on the next best shot of adrenaline for the any-time-of-day doldrums: Family Force 5’s debut, Business Up Front, Party in the Back.
With the high-octane aggressiveness of Rage Against the Machine, the span-the-genres fun of Outkast (with songs far better than “Hey Ya”) and the lyrical whimsy of Relient K, Family Force 5 makes a strong first impression with 12 insanely catchy songs that celebrate the lighter side of life and love (and may even cause the worst dancer to want to bust a move).
And like Earthsuit’s much-overlooked Kaleidoscope Superior back in 2000 or Tonéx’s Out of the Box in 2004, Business Up Front, Party in the Back also brings a fresh dose of originality to the scene with clever programming, savvy production and club friendly beats. Also noteworthy is the fact that there aren’t any superfluous tracks, a definite plus in the often A-D-D iPod generation.
Fronted by Solomon Olds, who also keeps fans guessing vocally as he sounds like a dead ringer for tobyMac some moments and Rage’s Zack de la Rocha others, the band has the vibe of a Friday night dance party down to a science on tracks such as “Cadillac Funk,” “Ex-Girlfriend” and “Peachy.” Those looking for something more than a good time may be a little disappointed in what they find, but ultimately, there’s no doubt why this act also caught the attention of mainstream label Maverick Records. With insatiable charisma and a live sound that probably sounds even better at a venue near you, this family has a bright future in both the mainstream and Christian worlds.
CHRISTA A. BANISTER
Review Provided by CCMmagazine.com
