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Band Name: F5
Album Name: A Drug For All Seasons
Rating: 4 / 5 User Rating: 3 / 5
Label: Cleopatra Rercords
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
01. Faded
02. Dissidence
03. Fall to Me
04. A Drug for All Seasons
05. Bleeding
06. What I Am (EDIE BRICKELL AND THE NEW BOHEMIANS cover)
07. Dying on the Vine
08. Hold Me Down
09. Defacing
10. X'd Out
11. Look You in the Eyes
12. Forte Sonata
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Firstly, it's more than likely that this album is going to be quite a shock for those that thought that David Ellefson might chart a course similar to Megadeth with his new band F5.
Musically, 'A Drug For All Seasons' is pretty far removed from Ellefson's previous work. In contrast to the songwriting of Ellefson's former band, the music of F5 is all about melody which is tempered with a powerful metal edge. Each of the band members stands out as being exceptional in terms of performance, most notably vocalist Dale Steele, who not only has a strong set of pipes but has a singular timbre in his vocal tonality that causes the singer to come across as being very unique. Of course, some critics may compare the general vibe of the group as being very similar to that of Sevendust. These comparisons are inevitable as the group does walk the same path, with melodic singing with strong hooks and bombastic stop-action riffing being the obvious similarities between the two ensembles. But to say that the band sounds just like Sevendust is going a bit far off base. F5 gives the impression of being much more original than that.
There can be no denying the brisk and vigilant 'Faded', a track that's instantly memorable and filled with an amount of creative energy that draws the listener's attention in immediately and holds that attention steadfastly until the track's end. Both this tune and the driving, urgent 'Dissidence' could make a strong showing on the airwaves, while the textured 'Fall To Me' is another winner of a song, exemplifying sufficient passion and a determined, restless underpinning that's a refreshing twist on modern hard rock.
Metalheads are not generally Edie Brickell fans, but F5 take Edie's 'What I Am' and make it their own, with an Ellefson bass line underscoring the track's poignant verses and thundering during the cut's newly metalized choruses. It's here that the band's sonic diversity is most apparent, if you're a metal fan that has heard the original, you can't disagree that the rendition is a substantial improvement and if you've never heard it before, it doesn't matter anyway. This is exactly how a cover song is supposed to be done and the eclectic choice pays off for the band in this case.
Progressive tinges arise during the verses of 'Hold Me Down' and most fans won't be too surprised at this track's lyrical content if they are familiar with the history of the band's bassist. F5 also try their hand at something a bit brasher in 'X'd Out', which definitely sounds as if Ellefson was a major factor in the songwriting. The bottom line is that 'A Drug For All Seasons' is a fantastic metal accomplishment. This great album has the ability to break wide-open, with four definite singles and absolutely no filler material whatsoever. Call this a sweet vindication for David Ellefson and get ready to have a new favorite album as f5 deliver the goods with this crucial offering.
Review by: EF
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