Artist: Five Iron Frenzy
Album: The End Is Here
Label: Five Minute Walk
Tracks: 2 Discs, 33 Tracks
Length:  2:37:68
Review by: Phil Nichols

This band shouldn't need an introduction. For eight years they have provided hundreds of kids and adults alike with laughter, catharsis, and inspiration through their own blend of ska, rock, and punk. Their seven studio albums, each filled with silliness and sincerity, show the growth, both musically and spiritually, that this awkward young ska band experienced in their trek from Denver coffeehouses to headlining national tours. No, Five Iron Frenzy should not need an introduction, but in case you have been living under a rock for the past eight years, here is a brief recap of the band's history.

Five Iron Frenzy began their musical journey with the release of Upbeats and Beatdowns on Five Minute Walk back in 1996. At the time, ska had become the latest trend in music and FIF was quickly pigeonholed along side of bands like the Supertones and the Insyderz, Christian alternatives to third wave ska units like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Less Than Jake. However, with their second release, Our Newest Album Ever, Five Iron Frenzy began to distinguish themselves from these other bands by slowing down the songs and adding more insight to their lyrics, which is evident by the disc's closing track, "Every New Day", arguably one of the best songs the band has written.

In 2000, following the release of their fun but silly, Quantity is Job 1 EP and their first Live cd, Proof That The Youth Are Revolting, Five Iron Frenzy put out their awkwardly mature, All The Hype That Money Can Buy. With other ska bands turning into rap-core units, FIF had taken a step back and dabbled in salsa, reggae and darker imagery in the lyrics. Unfortunately, the effort was met with minimal success. Two years later the band released Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo, a harder, more rock n' roll approach to ska. With bigger guitars and greater intensity the band showed that although the ska trend was dying, they were still relevant in the scene. It was just after the release of this, their fourth full-length studio album that the band decided that they would be calling it quits in the months to come. But before the End, they would go on to release an album of B-Sides called the Cheeses of Nazareth and they would tour in support of their final studio effort, The End Is Near.

The End Is Near is the first disc of this two-disc set, and is a great way for this band to end their incredibly influential career. The sound, while similar to Electric Boogaloo, also boasts more maturity and growth as musicians than any of their previous efforts. The album kicks off with "Cannonball" an energetic and exciting opener and a great way to show the vocal ability that singer Reese Roper has acquired over the past few years. Throughout the rest of the album there is an underlying dark tone, both musically and lyrically, with many songs dealing with the band's breakup and the end of all that they had hoped and dreamed. "So Far So Bad" talks about the message that they wanted to share, that no one wants to hear anymore. "See The Flames Begin To Crawl" goes on to speak of Reese's notebooks of lyrics that no one will ever see. And in the moments that the band is not talking about breaking up, they have songs like "American Kryptonite" that take shots at the greediness of humanity and "Anchors Away", which talks about the lies that the media tries  to sell to us daily. They are familiar topics, but the songwriting is by no means trite, Reese has done a great job to bring new angles to some old themes.

 But it is not all sad and depressing, FIF throws in humorous tracks along the way like "At Least I'm Not Like All The Other Old Guys", which finds Reese poking fun at his age and "That's How the Story Ends", which attempts to bring closure to all the songs and topics that the band has left open-ended throughout the years (Combat Chuck passed away, kitty-doggie was put to sleep, the dinosaurs all lay in heaps, et cetera). One of the last tracks, "On Distant Shores", is easily one of the band's best, boasting the same uplifting and spiritually honest remarks that made "Every New Day" a success. This version of the album also features a bonus track, "The Cross of St. Andrew", which is not a bad song, but it really doesn't fit coming after a powerful song like "On Distant Shores". As it is, the placement of the song is somewhat anticlimactic, which unfortunately, takes away from the impact that the previous song could have. As a whole, however, the first disc is still a very solid release and easily one of the band's best efforts.

The End Is Here is the second disc of this set and features the final live performance by the band. It serves as a sort of Greatest Hits album much like their previous live effort, with a nice mix of old and new songs. The End Is Here does a good job of capturing the band's energetic live show, but the disc is included more as a form of nostalgia than as a form of musical masterpiece. The band goes through their set with some bantering between songs, very similar to most other live albums out there. The ending of "Every New Day", is very powerful, as the horns fade out to the screaming of thousands of fans. I don't mean to wax sentimental, but it is rather emotive when you listen to this disc knowing that these are the last notes that Five Iron Frenzy will ever play together, and it is very moving to hear the sound of so many fans that have been touched and inspired by their music. The best moments on the album come just after the concert ends and the band puts aside their instruments to lead the huge crowd in a few worship songs. It is a wonderful and reverent way for this incredible band to end their career-giving back to the God who blessed them with such extraordinary talents.

The End Is Here is a great album for fans to remember Five Iron Frenzy, and for those who are not familiar with the band it serves as a great introduction with both new and old songs all together in one place. This two-disc set is not without its flaws, but it is still one of the best releases of this year so far. Whether you have been listening for years or just tuning in, go pick up the End Is Here, and discover just why Five Iron Frenzy has become one of the most influential Christian bands to emerge from the underground. Rest in peace, FIF. You'll be missed.