Family Force 5: III.V (EP)

Release: May 22, 2012
Genre: Rock
Rating: 8/10

Family Force 5 released their album III back in October of last year, amidst mixed reviews. Some people loved it and thought it stayed true to FF5's style, but others hated it and did not think the lyrical content was quite up there. I personally gave it a 4.5/5 in my review, because I really enjoyed listening to it, although the lyrical content could have been a lot better. After III, I think most Family Force 5 fans were a little skeptical about what was to come from the band, so III.V I believe will be quite a relief to those who did not like III. On the three new songs, the lyrics are pretty good, and yet they stay true to the style we have all grown to love from the band. The three acoustic remixes are spectacular and definitely give an awesome new flair to old hits.

The six song EP begins with "Zombie," which the band has been talking about for what seems like months now. They recently shot the music video for it, something I am very much anticipating watching. The concept of the song is that in Christ we are merely zombies of our selves; we are not who we used to be. "Zombie" has a pretty sweet beat and is definitely a great way to start the EP off. "Cray Button" follows that up with another spectacular song I believe is a little better than "Zombie." The song definitely reminds me a little more of FF5's older stuff, and is definitely a get-up-on-your-feet type song, that is literally just meant to be a fun party-type song.

After that we get into the acoustic songs: three remixes and one new song that is technically a remix too. "Love Addict" has long been one of my favorite Family Force 5 songs, so it was nice to see them remix it on the EP. It has a definite southern feel to it, and while I thought it might not be as good as the original, I was clearly wrong. When a band can do crunk party music really well and do acoustic music really well, you know they have to be pretty good. "Kountry Gentleman" is of course another one of my all-time favorite FF5 songs, and acoustically it is pretty good, but is definitely not my favorite of the three remixes. The last remix is of their song, "Fever," which was the first song I heard by the band something like five years ago. It is easily my favorite remix, and it also easily rivals the original version.

The final song on the EP, is also my favorite song on the EP. A couple months ago Family Force 5 posted a music video for "Superhero" on YouTube, and I instantly fell in love with the song. I had the privilege to see them live about a month ago on their Rise Up Tour, where they only did an acoustic set. They opened up by showing their documentary entitled Vital Sign, and after that they began their set with "Superhero." They are literally only the second band to ever give me chills while listening to one of their songs (the other being Sanctus Real). When listening to this song it is so easy to feel the emotion in it and how much Solomon Olds believes in what he is singing about; it is definitely the most emotional song by the band so far and is a great change from the band's usual crunk music. The band also released the original version of the song when they rereleased III on iTunes, but I personally prefer the acoustic version.

Family Force 5 has always been able to make music that I love listening to, and III.V is no exception to this. The EP definitely renews my faith a little bit in the band that they can write meaningful and spiritual lyrics, and if you are a fan of the old Family Force 5, or even the 'new' Family Force 5, you will definitely want to add this EP to your collection. The new songs are awesome, and the acoustic remixes are all pretty much spot-on. Also, make sure you see them live if you have not yet; they put on a pretty rocking show!

Favorite Song: Superhero (Acoustic Remix)

Favorite Lyrics: "Superhero come and save my life tonight, cause I know that you'll be there to fight." (From the song "Superhero")

Tracklist:

1. Zombie
2. Cray Button
3. Love Addict (Backwoodz Acoustic Remix)
4. Kountry Gentleman (Gatorbait Acoustic Remix)
5. Fever (Booyah Acoustic Remix)
6. Superhero (Acoustic Remix)