After a near three-year absence, the side project from Five Iron Frenzy's Dennis Culp, Keith Hoerig, Reese Roper and Andrew Verdecchio continues the Brave Saint Saturn ventures across the galaxy in The Light of Things Hoped For. This time around, the sound and lyrics appear to be a bit more universal (pun intended), and I hope the band continues to work together -- and work together more closely in future projects.
Just in case you're new to Brave Saint Saturn, don't confuse this band's music with that of Five Iron Frenzy. 5 Minute Walk Records made it clear from the get-go that the music wouldn't translate to FIF. And it's not just the music, but the lyrics, as well. FIF often employed satire and tackled issues head-on. Brave Saint Saturn's formula is, as our writers have noted, guitar pop and/or perhaps retro. The only similarity is Roper's songwriting, which often breaks the fourth wall in using first person and second person (and sometimes third person!) in the same breath.
In The Light of Things Hoped For, the texture of the music is close to that of the debut project, So Far From Home. There are plenty of arrangements that are old fashioned, straight-ahead rockers, including "The Sun Also Rises," "Titan," and "I Fell Away." On the other hand, there are more emotionally gripping music arrangements, "Binary," "Daylight" (these first two are praise songs), "Anastasia," and "Esterella," which give the overall scope of the band a much more intriguing range. The guys have clearly stretched the boundaries this time around. The most emotionally gripping song is, this time around, not about a broken relationship, but the band's departed friend, Matt Esterella. Titled "Esterella," this song includes a simple arrangement and an absolutely beautiful chorus ("rest your head against the breast of Christ. Hallelujah.").
The band probably took care to order the varied styles of the songs into a smooth flow. However, Brave Saint Saturn could add just a bit more spit-polish to future projects. I'd like to see songwriting collaborations between Reese and Dennis. If Brave Saint Saturn allows itself to gel as a band, the band has a bright future.
This project is incredibly enjoyable. Get on board the USS Gloria for an intriguing trip!
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis May 2003Reviewed by Luke HarlowBrave Saint Saturn features members from Five Iron Frenzy and began as the side project of FIF frontman Reese Roper. This is their second release. Brave Saint Saturn has often been claimed to be the "darker side of Five Iron Frenzy" and for the most part, that is true. BSS, through Roper's lyrics explore themes that, while present on many a FIF record, come through much more prominently on this…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by John WilsonFive Iron Frenzy is disbanding after this year's touring, so it's good to see that Brave Saint Saturn, the side project of Frenzy members Dennis Culp, Reese Roper, Keith Hoerig, and Andrew Verdecchio is still going strong. With the release of sophomore project The Light of Things Hoped For, BS2 shows growth while still staying close to the formula that made their debut, So Far From Home, somewhat…Similar sounding releases
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