I Call Fives - I Call Fives Review

Following the release of two solid EPs, New Jersey pop-punkers I Call Fives both disappointed and confused earlier this year with the release of a third EP; 'Someone That's Not You'. With its objective difficult to ascertain, its more methodically paced tracks even went so far as to expose the band's weaknesses. There is no such concern on the quintet's belated self-titled debut LP, however, with the closest thing approaching a ballad here, being a handful of slowed down bridges... That last all of twenty seconds each! From beginning to end and without let up, this is an energetic and up-tempo brand of throwback pop-punk which satisfyingly splits the difference between the slicker poppier acts of the genre and the heavier punk-leaning outfits.

While undoubtedly simple and familiar, album opener 'Late Nights' is one of many tracks which proves that there is more than meets the eye with 'I Call Fives'. Containing a minimal gap between its best and worst tunes, this consistent and cohesive LP does come with the perception that these undeniably melodic songs carelessly bleed into each other a little too much. However, the forward-charging musicianship on show never settles into a rut, with more than subtle diversity apparent for those listening intently. Christian Mullen's drumming is propulsive head-banging stuff, yet anything but repetitive, while the dual guitar attack of Chris Mclelland and Michael Joffe is surprisingly varied, if never ground-breaking.

One of the aforementioned weaknesses which rose to the surface on the teaser EP was Jeff Todd's semi-nasally whine, but the brisk pace (only one track passes the 3.10 mark) of 'I Call Fives' thankfully assists him favorably, even adding a relatable sincerity to what are rather conventional genre lyrics. Sufficiently broad so as not to become overly tedious, there is also an uplifting nature to the lyrics, despite the surface-level "woe is me" theme. Assisting him greatly are the satiating backing vocals and gang chants which are consistently evident throughout, despite their raw demeanor seeming more tailored for live sing-alongs rather than their effectiveness on record. Some of the eminently recitable - if simple - refrains include "I never wanna see you again" from 'Late Nights', "You know you're so wrong" from 'Stuck in '03' and "It's hard to make amends when you turn your back on your friends" from 'We Were Right Together...'....full text I Call Fives are one of those bands known for their high energy and impressive stage presence, but what really sets them apart is that even after introducing a new lead singer, they have continued to make a name for themselves in the pop punk music scene with their distinctive style and powerful lyrics. As the band told their fans earlier this year, they set forth to redefine their sound entirely with the release of their first full-length since the addition of new vocalist Jeff Todd. An impressive follow-up to the 4-track EP Someone That’s Not You released earlier this year, the self-titled debut record truly establishes I Call Fives as one of the strongest up-and-coming bands in today’s pop punk scene

The album’s first two tracks, “Late Nights” and “Obvious,” stand out for their distinct variance in style from one another, immediately showing off the band’s range and diversity. While the opening track highlights I Call Fives’ punk edge with the incorporation of screams and Todd’s moments of shout-like singing, “Obvious” reflects the band’s lighter side while still maintaining the high energy established in its predecessor.

As if the record isn’t guaranteed to have won you over by now, the streak continues with “Backup Plan,” the only song re-recorded after being released on Someone That’s Not You. Although the expectations for this track were especially high since it was a favorite on the EP, it easily prevails as a top choice on this album as well. The song’s layered vocals and cleaner mix only improve the already-addicting track, giving it a bigger sound that could easily be pictured being performed in front of a huge crowd. “Stuck in ‘03,” “Wrong Things,” and “Sleep Well” have a similar crowd-ready feel, seamlessly blending the band’s harder roots with a pop punk edge for an unparalleled energy sure to get showgoers off their feet.

“Two Sides To Every Story” and “Regrets and Setbacks” stand out for their fast pace and high energy, making for respectable pop punk tracks without losing that “get up and dance” feel that echoes throughout the album. While not the strongest song on the record, closing track “All You’ve Got Left” shows off Todd’s killer vocal range over guitar riffs that will be stuck in your head for days. Despite not being the strongest note to end things on, the track is still solid conclusion to a fantastic album that will leave listeners craving more....full text Following the release of two solid EPs, New Jersey pop-punkers I Call Fives both disappointed and confused earlier this year with the release of a third EP; 'Someone That's Not You'. With its objective difficult to ascertain, its more methodically paced tracks even went so far as to expose the band's weaknesses. There is no such concern on the quintet's belated self-titled debut LP, however, with the closest thing approaching a ballad here, being a handful of slowed down bridges... That last all of twenty seconds each! From beginning to end and without let up, this is an energetic and up-tempo brand of throwback pop-punk which satisfyingly splits the difference between the slicker poppier acts of the genre and the heavier punk-leaning outfits.

While undoubtedly simple and familiar, album opener 'Late Nights' is one of many tracks which proves that there is more than meets the eye with 'I Call Fives'. Containing a minimal gap between its best and worst tunes, this consistent and cohesive LP does come with the perception that these undeniably melodic songs carelessly bleed into each other a little too much. However, the forward-charging musicianship on show never settles into a rut, with more than subtle diversity apparent for those listening intently. Christian Mullen's drumming is propulsive head-banging stuff, yet anything but repetitive, while the dual guitar attack of Chris Mclelland and Michael Joffe is surprisingly varied, if never ground-breaking.

One of the aforementioned weaknesses which rose to the surface on the teaser EP was Jeff Todd's semi-nasally whine, but the brisk pace (only one track passes the 3.10 mark) of 'I Call Fives' thankfully assists him favorably, even adding a relatable sincerity to what are rather conventional genre lyrics. Sufficiently broad so as not to become overly tedious, there is also an uplifting nature to the lyrics, despite the surface-level "woe is me" theme. Assisting him greatly are the satiating backing vocals and gang chants which are consistently evident throughout, despite their raw demeanor seeming more tailored for live sing-alongs rather than their effectiveness on record. Some of the eminently recitable - if simple - refrains include "I never wanna see you again" from 'Late Nights', "You know you're so wrong" from 'Stuck in '03' and "It's hard to make amends when you turn your back on your friends" from 'We Were Right Together...'....full text