Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Led by a former child prodigy turned versatile singer/songwriter, Five for Fighting made its debut with Message for Albert, an intelligent and well-crafted collection of brooding mid-tempo songs. Delving deep into Billy Joel meets Ben Folds meets Satchel territory, Ondrasik displays the uncanny ability to take beautiful melodies like the simple piano phrasing of "Day By Day" and weave them into stunning, multi-layered vocal arrangements replete with gorgeous string crescendos, each playing off each other like a well-oiled machine. "The Garden," undeniably Message for Albert's most epic number, is yet another impressive heavily orchestrated show piece that rises above its humble lyrics and escalates into a full-blown "New York State of Mind" type of arrangement sprinkled with religious metaphors. "Happy" is one of those odd time signature ditties that eerily resembles Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years." And finally, there's the remarkable "Love Songs." Lamentful, charming, and urgent, "Love Songs" hints at Ondrasik's ability to completely envelop songs with his voice (later developed on the band's sophomore offering). A promising debut that sadly lost its shot when EMI spontaneously combusted after the record's release.
© John Franck /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Composer, Producer - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Composer, Producer - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Composer, Producer - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Composer, Producer - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, Composer, Producer - Davitt Sigerson, Producer - Mark Hermann, Producer
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, ComposerLyricist - Mark Hermann, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Five For Fighting, MainArtist - John Ondrasik, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Album review
Led by a former child prodigy turned versatile singer/songwriter, Five for Fighting made its debut with Message for Albert, an intelligent and well-crafted collection of brooding mid-tempo songs. Delving deep into Billy Joel meets Ben Folds meets Satchel territory, Ondrasik displays the uncanny ability to take beautiful melodies like the simple piano phrasing of "Day By Day" and weave them into stunning, multi-layered vocal arrangements replete with gorgeous string crescendos, each playing off each other like a well-oiled machine. "The Garden," undeniably Message for Albert's most epic number, is yet another impressive heavily orchestrated show piece that rises above its humble lyrics and escalates into a full-blown "New York State of Mind" type of arrangement sprinkled with religious metaphors. "Happy" is one of those odd time signature ditties that eerily resembles Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years." And finally, there's the remarkable "Love Songs." Lamentful, charming, and urgent, "Love Songs" hints at Ondrasik's ability to completely envelop songs with his voice (later developed on the band's sophomore offering). A promising debut that sadly lost its shot when EMI spontaneously combusted after the record's release.
© John Franck /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:48:22
- Main artists: Five For Fighting
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Capitol Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 1997 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.