Singer, songwriter and pianist John Ondrasik, who records as Five for Fighting, is a very earnest artist.
Slice, his fifth studio project, is a record about personal memories that fit as universal themes. The 11 piano-based tracks have a wistful air about them: an honest longing to keep life and humanity in proper perspective.
Ondrasik sings about the lessons of 9/11 on "Tuesday," the innocent leap for love on "Chances," the triumph of heart over muscle on "Augie Nieto" and he pens a refreshingly sincere ode to servicemen in "Note to an Unknown Soldier." Nothing comes off contrived or syrupy, even the paeans to his wife, "This Dance" and "Story of Your Life." His melodies have an old-school tinge, as well as a melancholy hue.
No surprise from the guy who penned the thoughtful hits "Superman (It's Not Easy)" and "100 Years." But he dresses the proceedings with bass, guitars, drums, percussion and strings to avoid monotony.
Perhaps an hour of this California native's repertoire could meander into insufferable territory. But at 41 minutes, Slice is a big-enough piece.
Album Tracklisting:
1. Slice
2. Note To The Unknown Soldier
3. Tuesday
4. Chances
5. This Dance
6. Above The Timberline
7. Transfer
8. Hope
9. Story Of Your Life
10. Love Can't Change The Weather
11. Augie Nieto
TV Appearances:
CBS Saturday Morning 10/10
The View 10/14
The Today Show 10/16
Tour Dates:
John will be hitting the road in October with An Acoustic Evening with Five For Fighting. The songs are great on record, even better live! Definitely a show worth seeing! To find out about how to get tickets in a market near you, go to his site.
18-Oct Toronto, ON El Mocambo
20-Oct New York, NY City Winery
22-Oct Bay Shore, NY (Long Island) YMCA Boulton Center
23-Oct Uncasville, CT The Wolf Den
24-Oct Washington, DC Jammin Java
26-Oct Boston, MA The Paradise
27-Oct Philadelphia, PA World Café Live (downstairs)
29-Oct Nashville, TN The Belcourt
30-Oct Chicago, IL Lakeshore
3-Nov Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
5-Nov Seattle, WA Crocodile
6-Nov Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
10-Nov San Francisco, CA Swedish American Hall
11-Nov Los Angeles, CA Largo at the Coronet
FFF Website: http://bit.ly/FFFWebsite
FFF Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/johnondrasik
FFF Widget: http://bit.ly/FFFWidget
FFF Videos: http://bit.ly/FFFYouTube
FFF Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fiveforfighting
Album Pre Order Link: http://bit.ly/FFFPreOrder
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