Review / 200 Words Or Less
I Call Fives
First Things First

Open Your Eyes (2008) Michael

I Call Fives – First Things First cover artwork
I Call Fives – First Things First — Open Your Eyes, 2008

New Jersey natives I Call Fives offer up a style of pop-punk that have become increasingly popular in the past couple of years. You know the type. Fast and melodic punk meets bubblegum pop. The results are undoubtedly catchy, but it's a sound that is quickly becoming supersaturated. Thankfully, I Call Fives don't rely on neon-splattered logo t's and out of place hardcore breakdowns to get fans; and that is something that I admire.

Instead, I Call Five give us the infectious sing-alongs of "My Last Mistake" that bring to mind the early New Found Glory catalog mixed with a dash of the emo-leanings of Saves the Day. Cuts like "Twelve Credits Short" and "This Song is So

2006" bring to mind the days of the circa-2000 Drive-Thru Records catalog. So listening to this record is a bit nostalgic in that aspect.

First Things First is a pretty good debut effort. I can definitely find myself listening to this record when I need something upbeat to put me in a good mood

well of course that's if I can't find my New Found Glory CD's. Nevertheless, I can easily see them blowing up with the right exposure.

7.5 / 10Michael • March 18, 2009

I Call Fives – First Things First cover artwork
I Call Fives – First Things First — Open Your Eyes, 2008

Related news

I Call Fives: new EP w/ a reissue too (of sorts)

Posted in Records on February 11, 2023

No Sleep Signs I Call Fives

Posted in Labels on March 11, 2010

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

The Cure

Songs of a Lost World
Capitol, Fiction, Lost Music, Polydor/Universal (2024)

It's been sixteen years since The Cure released their last album. I don't know if anyone really knew what to expect, but it's one of the most influential bands in history so expectations were high. The Verdict? Those expectations were met. It'd be silly to say Songs of a Lost World is a "return to form" as the band and … Read more

City Mouse

So Far Out
Brassneck Records, It's Alive (2024)

There are few bands that hit with the mix of raw emotion and musical talent as a live City Mouse show. There are even fewer bands that can capture that live feeling on a record. It’s been a long 7 years since Get Right, but So Far Out keeps it moving as if no time has passed. Of course, the … Read more

Machine Girl

MG Ultra
Future Classic (2024)

Ideally, I would be a bit more interested in art. In visual art- paintings, sketches, MS Paint monstrosities- whatever. I wish I knew more about the meaning of a brush stroke or even had the desire to know more about the meaning of a brush stroke. I spend a lot of time listening to music and, subsequently, I see a … Read more