THE CD: “MORNING OVER MIDNIGHT” (Virgin)
PERFORMER: Fivespeed
WEBSITE: Here

After getting signed to Virgin Records in 2002, Belle, W.Va. native Brad Cole and his band Fivespeed finally have a major release that hit stores January 24, and it doesn’t disappoint. After a rough couple of years of lineup changes (one in the middle of the Vans Warped Tour), having all of their equipment stolen in Detroit, and recording in both Vancouver, Canada and New York City, I have to say it’s amazing to finally have the disc in my hand.

While only 10 songs long, the album shifts easily thru every style Fivespeed has without exhausting any one sound. The album starts with the solid track “Fair Trade,” which kicks in with a much stronger, though still melodic, sound than the band’s previous EP releases.

The next track, “The Mess,” is the first single and is getting some good rotation around the country. The band also has a video for the song and if you like pumpkins you will like the video (I’m not gonna explain that, you’ll just have to check it out). According to the band, the video was filmed at about 4 a.m. somewhere in California with plenty of people (and pumpkins) on hand to help. It must be getting some air time somewhere because many of the reviews of the song on Itunes mention seeing the video and then buying the single because of it. OK, long story made short — it’s a really good song.

Some other good tracks on the album (also my favorite) are the pseudo-ballad “Blame It On You” and the down-tempo tracks “Touch of One” and “Misery Loves Company,” all of which are good choices for the next single. The disc also has some other good rock songs on it as well, such as “Lost Vegas” and “Wait Forever.” While many of the songs seem to be about personal relationships one has to wonder if the line in “Wait Forever” that says I have yet to find a low is really about getting this album released finally.

The only song I wish was a little different is the title track, “Morning Over Midnight,” which is such a nice sounding title and, I guess I’m still used to the 80s trick of making the title of the album whatever the strongest track on it was. Again, long story made short — not the strongest track, but still a really good song.

All in all “Morning Over Midnight” is a nine out of 10 for sure. If you like the upbeat rock of the last couple years such as Taking Back Sunday or Fall Out Boy, take that sound and kick up the guitars, throw in the range of Dashboard Confessional lead singer, write some good songs and enjoy pumpkins, you will definitely enjoy Morning Over Midnight. Check out Fivespeed on Itunes or leave them a message on www.myspace.com/fivespeed.

– by Mark Totten

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 at 5:39 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.