Independent rock band The Fifth is scheduled to independently release its new, self-titled EP Friday. The five-song record is a positive first outing for the band. That is especially the case for audiences who are fans of the pure, guitar-driven rock that bridged the late 80s and early 90s. Each item will be discussed in itself. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own right to the whole of the EP. All things considered, they make the EP a successful new presentation that The Fifth’s established audiences and targeted listeners will agree deserves high marks.
The Fifth’s forthcoming self-titled EP is a presentation that will find wide appeal among the band’s established audiences and more casual rock purists. That is proven in part through the record’s featured musical arrangements. The arrangements in question exhibit the kind of pure, guitar-driven styles and sounds that bridged the late 80s and 90s. Their collective sound and stylistic approaches lend themselves to comparison to works from the band’s fellow North Carolina-based rock band Faith & Scars. Right from the record’s outset, audiences get an arrangement in ‘Shake Little Sister’ that is just as comparable to works from the likes of Motley Crue and Poison, what with the operatic vocals, the rich guitar line and just as bombastic drums. ‘Home,’ with its more subdued approach, is its own familiar style composition that again throws back to days gone by. Meanwhile, a track, such as ‘Coming to Get You,’ in its blues-based presentation is so similar to so many rock songs that were popular in the early 90s and are still just as popular today. To that end, it is more proof of the appeal that the record’s musical arrangements generate. That is even clearer when this and the other arrangements noted here are considered with the two others not directly examined. All things considered, they leave no doubt that the record’s musical content will engage and entertain audiences. It is just one part of what makes the record successful. The lyrical content that accompanies the record’s musical arrangements makes for its own appeal.
The lyrical content that is featured in The Fifth takes on a variety of topics. The EP’s opener, ‘Shake Little Sister,’ is as the title notes, a song about a man who is admiring a woman. ‘Calm Before The Storm’ seems to be a commentary about a broken relationship, but in this case not so much romantic, but plutonic. There is something in the way that front man Roy Cathey sings about people’s paths never crossing again. The sense of foreboding that Cathey seems to paint in the song’s opening verse paints toward that inference just as much and continues as he sings that “I know things will never be the same.” There do not seem to be any real allusions here to a romantic relationship, but rather to the impact of the past on the present and future. This is all this critic’s interpretation, of course. Regardless, it suffices to say that this song is not about a broken relationship, but something quite opposite. The contemplative ‘Home’ comes across as one of those familiar themes of someone looking back at life and where life is going. Reaching back to the musical aspect, the song’s arrangement is one of those over the top hard rock ballads that was so beloved in the 80s, matching the big hair of the age. Cathey sings here about letting go of those memories from the past and moving forward, again showing the theme of that rumination. That and the musical approach together is sure to connect with a wide range of audiences. ‘Coming to Get You’ meanwhile is another song that is about a man who is obsessed with a woman. Considering that the band has already touched on this topic in the EP’s opener, it is a familiar topic. It is just presented in a different fashion than in ‘Shake Little Sister.’ On yet another note, ‘Roll The Bones’ (not to be confused with the song made famous by Rush) takes audiences in yet another direction. This is just a song whose lyrical content is full of swagger and energy. It’s just a full on celebratory song about going out and having a good time with friends. Looking back through all of this, it is clear that the band touches on a relatively wide range of items that are still in themselves accessible to audiences. That overall accessibility along with the arrangements’ accessibility makes the album’s overall content reason enough to hear this EP. The content is only part of what makes the record worth hearing. The EP’s production brings everything together and completes the record’s presentation.
The production that went into The Fifth is important to address because of the different sounds and energies in each composition. As noted, a song, such as ‘Home’ is one of those familiar contemplative rock ballads from the 80s that starts off subdued, but eventually crescendos in its solo. That means that from beginning to end, full attention had to be paid to each musician’s performance. The softer moments early on had to have the fullest impact as did the bigger, bombastic solo and finale. Every bit of it all was expertly balanced throughout, leading the song to be a favorite among any listener. On another note, the edge of ‘Coming To Get You’ required a different approach in the production. That is because of the aforementioned swagger that is exhibited through the song. Particular attention had to be paid not necessarily just to the guitar line here as a result, but just as much to the nuances in the effects used therein to really bring out that edge. Again, the attention to detail paid off here just as much as in any other song. It really brings out the confidence in Cathey’s vocals and even in the guitar line. Much the same can be said of the attention to the bass and drums, too. Each couldn’t just be a rich presentation, but had to have certain emphasis on specific notes and beats to really enhance the song’s presentation even more. The attention to that detail paid off just as much. It is just one more example of what makes the EP’s production stand out. When the overall production is considered together with the EP’s content, the whole of the record proves to be fully successful.
The Fifth’s forthcoming self-titled EP is a successful new presentation from the independent rock band. Its success comes in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements stand out in their distinct 80s and 90s pure guitar rock approach. From the familiar rock ballad styles of the 80s to the harder edged stuff, and more, there is plenty for audiences of said sounds to enjoy. The lyrical themes that accompany the EP’s musical arrangements are also of note. That is because they are just as familiar and accessible as the record’s musical arrangements. The production that went into the EP’s creation brings everything together and completes the presentation, making sure that its general effect is as pleasing as its content. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of this record. All things considered, they make the EP a positive new offering from the band.
The Fifth is scheduled for release Friday. More information on the EP is available along with the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://reverbnation.com/thefifth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefifthmusic
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