published: 23 /
3 /
2007
Label:
Von Hushel
Format: CD
Folk tinged indie pop with an universal appeal on debut album from new Chicago band Five Foot Nine
Review
Five Foot Nine are from Chicago. They are Michael Hushel (vocals/guitar), Jason Batchko (drums/percussion), Tom Szidon (bass/guitar/backing vocals) Mark Joyal (piano/organ/bass), Stacy Cummings (guitar/bass) and Laura Coleman (vocals). This is their debut album and is full of indie pop songs with a folk tinge. They use a variety of instruments including the sitar to good effect. The dual vocalists work well together with harmonies that showcase one another well.
Five Foot Nine have a variety of styles to draw upon from the poppy REM tinge of 'Back to the Tunnels' to the country almost Dolly Parton sound of 'Sugar' and the funky Europop of 'Jardin du Luxembourg' using a vocoder on it for part of the vocals. They make music that is undemanding but uplifting and that you can just chill out to on an afternoon. They don't grab me and shake me by the throat, but I think they have a timeless and universal appeal with which they can't go far wrong, and they aren't trying to sound like the latest in thing.
Track Listing:-
1
Back to the Tunnels
2
I Was in Pictures
3
O La Moana
4
The One That Got Away
5
Where Am I?
6
Lana Marie
7
European Tour
8
Jardin Du Luxembourg
9
Sugar
10
To the People