Raw emotion, an eclectic musical mix, and cutting lyrics all come together to make "Brave Saint Saturn" a shockingly stellar album. Produced by mixmaster Masaki Liu, who produced all of FIF's albums, BSS could easily be one of the most standout albums of the year.
Chief songwriter and lead singer Reese Roper tackles tough issues that Christian music has overlooked. "Under Bridges" is a song about a homeless man, who looks like Jesus, alluding to the biblical reference that doing good unto the poor is like doing good to God. Other songs like "Shadow of Def" are humorous. Who thought Frank "Frankie T" Tate, owner of 5 Minute Walk Records, would actually rap on this side project?
Dealing with the break-up with his fiance last May, Roper wrote "Independence Day." While this song could have been bitter or resentful, it's not. Rather, "Independence Day" is a beautiful tribute to what could have been, but an acceptance of her decision. Roper is still "holding the candle" of hope high, so the song ends on an idealistic note. There is also a cover of Michael W. Smith's hit song "Rocketown." It sounds little like the original, but is definitely a cover that MWS could love.
Space sounds, astronaut voice excerpts, and Reese Roper, Keith Hoering, and Dennis Kulp from Five Iron Frenzy, could there be a better album in 2000? "Brave Saint Saturn" is going where no album has gone before. It may be a little too real for some people, but that's exactly why it's so good. Enough of hiding the truth with pretty words and fancy phrases, BSS is honest, real, and straight forward. Sincerity works, and Five Iron Frenzy has proved that again and again, BSS just takes their depth of character and makes it a little bit deeper.
Other coverage for this album
7ball #31Reviewed by David MuttilloOn the surface, BraveSaintSaturn appears to be Keith Hoerig, Reese Roper and Dennis Culp's best chance at rocketing light years away from their day job band, Five Iron Frenzy. Let's face it, the whole ska-core genre can be quite limiting, musically speaking. Nevertheless - though this semi-conceptual album isn't infused with happy-feet-beats, like most FIF material - the lion's share of its songs…ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksBrave Saint Saturn's So Far From Home is one of the most interesting and provocative albums I've heard in a while. Perhaps it's because Brave Saint Saturn isn't bound by the usual responsibilities that hinder artists--namely the need to be successful. Brave Saint Saturn is a side project from three members of Five Iron Frenzy, Reese Roper, Dennis Culp, and Keith Hoerig. Perhaps the fact that…Exit Zine 2000Reviewed by James M. BranumMay 2000 - Exitzine.com Album of the Month A couple of nights ago, I went to pop in this CD, only to realize it was missing. Though I had only had it a week, I thought I would go crazy if I couldn't find it. I went downstairs and searched my car thinking it might have fallen out of my CD box. I searched the living room, my bedroom, and even the bathroom in desperation. Terror, horrible terror…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Michial FarmerThere are probably a lot of expectations for Brave Saint Saturn, Reese Roper, Keith Hoerig and Dennis Culp's side project. Those who are familiar with Roper and Culp from the popular Christian ska band Five Iron Frenzy may be expecting a sound similar to that band, with upbeat chords and horns. Consumers who see the album cover and the band's name in the store may think of space-rock in the vein…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Chelsea LewisWhen Five Iron Frenzy's lead singer and lyricist Reese Roper started writing songs that didn't fit the usual Five Iron music style, Brave Saint Saturn was born. The side project was created by Roper as an outlet for his thoughts on subjects he thought too dark and emotional for Five Iron Frenzy. The songs deal with tragedy, sorrow, and the hardships of the world. His Five Iron Frenzy band mates…Similar sounding releases
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