Family Force 5’s “Dance or Die EP”: A Review
GENRE: DANCE ROCK
LABEL: GOTEE RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: JUNE 3, 2008
RATING: NA
Nutshell Version:
Unveiling a sampling of their latest with the “Dance or Die EP”, Family Force 5 are serving up a platter of fresh from the oven material, that’s bound to have fans begging for seconds. It’s a little odd to see a Christian group follow suit in what seems to be the latest trend, which is fusing rock with dance beats and overly smoothed vocals; however it seems FF5 are setting the standard for others to follow. Although songs are far from introspective, the music remains intelligent, and “Dance or Die” feels mature and progressive.
Full Version:
Creating quite a stir with their debut “Business Up Front Party in the Back” Family Force 5 established quite a name for themselves. This may have been due to the fact “Business” was unparallel in the Christian Music scene, and relatively unrivaled in the market. Guitars unapologetically “crunchy”, verses unashamedly rapped, Family Force 5 seemingly both innovated and mastered a new genre for Christian rock fans, that is their self-described “crunk rock”. Unveiling a sampling of their latest with the “Dance or Die EP”, the five-some are serving up a platter of fresh from the oven material, that’s bound to have fans begging for seconds.
The most notable characteristic, its dance element, represents a slight change in sound from their debut. Despite “Business” carrying tracks that numerous clubs could move to, the overall tone of “Dance or Die” is indeed dance. The title track, as well as “Wake the Dead” are classifiable as “dance anthems” with lyrics such as “Try to take our lives, we will survive, we’re running out of time, the world ends tonight, unless we dance or die” delivered with urgency and an unconventional sense of passion, manifesting itself in the form of bass and auto-tuned male vocals.
It’s a little odd to see a Christian group follow suit in what seems to be the latest trend, which is fusing rock with dance beats and overly smoothed vocals; however it seems FF5 are setting the standard for others to follow. Although songs are far from introspective, the music remains intelligent, and “Dance or Die” feels mature and progressive.
Track Listing
- Dance or Die
- Fever
- Wake the Dead
