Interestingly enough Family Force 5 released a 3 song EP under the same name, ‘Dance Or Die’ a little bit ago as not to be confused with this new full length record which gets released in August. As the album’s title would suggest the band has turned and focused their attention on coming up with a punk/rock interpretation of ‘dance music’.
From my initial thoughts of the album to after I had listened through several times and formed a more thorough opinion, my perception changed several times on whether I liked what I was listening to or not. First of all this band barely takes themselves seriously and no one else should really be taking them too serious either. The act that they put on is definitely entertaining but to what degree?
Right off the bat I can tell you that songs like “Get Your Back Off The Wall” or “Party Foul” are both a complete waste of time and very gimmicky. The songs may be fun for a time or two but out live their welcome way very fast with repetitive lyrics and themes.
“How In The World” is the first glimpse the record provides of a slower and slightly more mature side of the band. The song, with all its electronic beats and catchy riffs, sounds like something you might hear on the top 40 radio station, also slightly resembling something from Play Radio Play. “The First Time” is my personal favorite and sort of the black sheep of the album as it is more punk oriented than dance.
If you go into the album with low expectations you may be pleasantly surprised with the tap-along-fun that happens throughout but if you expecting anything substantial you’re most likely going to be sorely disappointed. I went into this album skeptical at best, and although I’m still not really a fan, there were still a few tracks that managed to sink their hooks in.
You really shouldn’t say Family Force 5 is imature… expecially if you’re not even a fan
Posted by Michael Schaffer on August 12th, 2008.
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Posted by Family Force 7(.99) on August 13th, 2008.
Hmmmm….
I wonder why the FF5 wiki page has a link leading to this cow pie of a review.
Posted by N on August 20th, 2008.
i’m glad ff5s music isn’t always 2 serious, that’s why it doesn’t bore me 2 death. they’re a real good talented band.
Posted by M on August 23rd, 2008.
reviewer, you’re a retard. If your not a fan you shouln’t critisise cause your biased. also, party foul is my favourite song, you moron. get a life and learn to appreciate ff5 or don’t write anything at all.
…some people…
Posted by anonymous on August 23rd, 2008.
Wow, normally comments that are basically just name calling are deleted, but I couldn’t get over how you thought calling someone names would prove your point any better.
Also I assume you like the new record? That’s fine, that’s your opinion, and mine obviously differs from yours but if you were to explain your stance and rise up to a higher level than insults I’d take your comments more serious.
“M” for example, disagreed with the review but still had a great response that made me go back and listen to a few songs. I still feel the same way as before but nevertheless had something worthwhile to say.
Posted by Tyler on August 23rd, 2008.
While they’re music may not be the most mature, I still think it’s a little more worthy than a 2 out of 5. Sure, some of the songs are musical candy, fluffy and sugary, but not actually worth much. However, songs like Fever, D-I-E 4 Y-O-U, and Radiator are just amazing. To each his own, but I think this album is more of a 4 out of 5.
Posted by John on August 30th, 2008.
I agree with Tyler (although being a hardcore fan I’d give it 5 out of 5), but those 3 songs in particular are absolutely amazing, Fever: talks about getting a fever for Christ; D-I-E 4 Y-O-U: talks about the willingness of a Christian to die for Christ; and Radiator: talks about the transcending of Christians into Heaven… I know you’ve already gone back and checked over the album but theres a story behind every song, and the album itself is a story of fighting evil robots on an alien planet in another galexy, hence the theme’s name Dance or Die, the enemies in the song are actually evil robots
Posted by Spaz on November 14th, 2008.
Musically, this goofy side of FF5 doesn’t have much to offer. I agree with the review. I’m sure that if these guys have managed to arise such a buzz with material as silly as this album and their first record, they will be even more popular when they decide to focus on making real music, not just some “background noise at a party” kind of deal (quoted from Allmusic.com).
Personally, I do not understand their attempt to produce a valuable artistic expression.
Honestly, it is a pain to my ears.
Posted by Steve Cardoza on November 30th, 2008.