The untimely end of Five Iron Frenzy has been rumor for years, but now it's fact. 2003 is it for the ska/punk band, and they're going out in style with a farewell tour and one last studio album. The End is Near is classic Five Iron, full of humor and sarcasm, horns and upbeats, and challenge and hope. Until 2004, the CD is only available online or at their concerts. Sometime in 2004 the album will be released as a two-CD set with a live album from their final show, titled The End is Here.
Highlights on the album include the driving "Cannonball," the screaming "American Kryptonite," and the rasta-inspired "See the Flames Begin to Crawl." Five Iron's signature humor is self-evident on tracks like "Wizard Needs Food, Badly" and "At Least I'm Not Like All Those Other Old Guys," as well as "That's How the Story Ends," which includes nods to past Five Iron work.
A number of songs carry on the tradition of deeply introspective anthems, including "Something Like Laughter," "It Was Beautiful," and "On Distant Shores," which borrows an ending from the best Five Iron song ever, "Every New Day."
When all is said and done, it's not a bad way to go.
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis May 2004Reviewed by Phil NicholsThis 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…The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Sarah VernoFor Five Iron fans everywhere, The End Is Here is a must have. This album is more than a live version of Five Iron's last show ever, more than the band sharing humorous jokes and more than songs about blue combs and new hopes. The End Is Here reaches down into the core of Five Iron Frenzy and reveals the heart of the band during their final hours. I was one of almost 4,000 fans (yes, it was sold…The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Olin JenkinsThere's no doubt that those who enjoy Five Iron Frenzy are disappointed and perhaps saddened that the end is here, as of November 29, 2003, FIF's final concert at the Fillmore in its home town of Denver, Colorado. Okay, I'll cut to the chase. There's a recording of this concert, plus the final studio album (The End is Near)--previously available only in mail order from the website--put together…More from Five Iron Frenzy
1999Proof That the Youth are Revolting
1996Upbeats and Beatdowns
2003Cheeses...
1997Our Newest Album Ever!
2000All the Hype That Money Can Buy
2001Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
