Fivespeed drives down same metal streets

By Meg Walsh

Published Jan. 27, 2006

Although Arizona is known for its heat and canyon of grandeur, it is not regarded as a big producer of budding rock bands. But with music in their hearts and distortion pedals at the ready, the members of Fivespeed are hoping to make their hometown of Phoenix the next musical landmark.

Fivespeed is composed of Jared Woosley at the microphone, Jesse Lacross and Brad Cole as accompanying guitarists, Matt Turner on the bass and Shane Addington behind the drum set. The band released its second full-length album, Morning Over Midnight, on Jan. 24. The sound of the album is a blend of modern rock with a bit of neo-punk flare to angsty lyrics, and it might leave listeners thinking they've heard it all before.

The first track on the record, "Fair Trade," is probably the best. The excellently played intro makes it the perfect fit for a first track. Powerful and sonically appealing, it starts with a strong guitar and drum intro with rhythmic bass in the background. Then the song takes a turn for the worse with the heard-them-before lyrics of "I've left all the friends I know/And I'm down to skin and bones."

Most of the songs on Morning Over Midnight have a typical rock sound — dark music, overbearing bass and drums. The low-pitched instruments dominate the vocals and melody. Most of the album is similar to the styles of Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle and Staind.

Then the slow ballads appear, reminiscent of a Lifehouse album.

"Blame It On You" is an attempt to sound sensitive but, just like any sappy love letter, it sounds completely insincere. Lyrics such as "I know you tried to bring me down/I'll blame it on you/I know you from the inside out" are so cliché, they leave the listener snoozing during the song.

The song "Lost Vegas" is full of loud guitars and pounding drums and compares relationships to gambling. Metaphors about horse races, craps and slots ensue in a jumpy fashion, leaving one to ponder the point of the track.

The title track, "Morning Over Midnight," has a great build-up intro and seems to be the perfect mix of Fivespeed's hard and soft rock personalities. The song is set at a slow place. Then the chorus surprisingly speeds up, and the song flourishes.

Instead of ending with a bang, the record ends with "Misery Loves Company." The song name and dreary music are typical of a by-the-numbers emo record. "Misery Loves Company" is very slow and full of melancholy lyrics not fitting for the rock genre.

The melody and acoustic guitar would sound at home on a Dashboard Confessional compilation, but would put a damper on any serious rock show. This causes the whole album to just fizzle out instead of ending powerfully.

Although the members of Fivespeed are talented musicians and writers, the band's sound has been done too many times before. If the typical heavy rock sound is your bag, this album is perfect. But though the album is brand new, you probably already own it.