If you have heard the two singles, Easy Tonight and Superman, then you know exactally what to expect. A pretty decent voice, good production, and a lot of piano. The album flows very, very nicely and really doesn't have too many spots where you want to skip to the next track, well just one I can think of.
Five For Fighting (FFF) has a knack for writing songs that were probably based on him sitting around a piano, and then adding other instruments in when recording. Well, "throwing them in" takes away from FFF's obvious production talent.
I believe that Superman and Easy Tonight are only the beginning of FFF's airplay. There are many, many other great tracks, with plenty of emotional, thoughtful lyrics to keep listeners happy. Other than the first two singles, the best tracks are Bloody Mary, America Town, Something About You, and Out of Love. My favorite song on the album is Love Song, which is the best song I have ever heard about coping with the divorce of one's parents.
I do have two complaints about the album. When I got this album, I happened to notice that their first album was also just rereleased. After falling in love with this one, I went back and purchased it. Love Song appears on both albums, but is much more powerful on the original recording. Partly due to the minimalistic production, but mostly because of the raw emotion in Jon's voice on the original. I wish they had put the original on this album, and not rerecorded it. That said, it is still my favorite on this album. The only other problem is Boat Parade. The end of the song gets loud and overbearing, which kills the mood of the album for about a minute. Small complaints though, for an otherwise excellent album.
I highly recomend purchasing this album for anyone who loves music. Not just Adult Contemporary, or Pop. This album has something for everyone. Great Songwriting, and relaxing, thoughtful music.

"America Town" is an album I thought would never happen. No offense to the band but the last album was so GREAT and SO dismissed, by their previous label, I never thought I would see these guys again. Good News, now listen up.

Step one buy this album if you.... a) enjoy Elton John, Counting Crows, & Toad The Wet Sprocket b) enjoy lyrics deeper than the ocean but manage to fill a small void in your mind. (most importantly) c) love GREAT MUSIC!

From beginning to end you move from one mood to the next beginning with "Easy Tonight" a tune dealing with a man/woman on the verge of leaving the planet "Shotgun fire, anybody home, I got two dimes in the telephone, alright It's not easy tonight". Optimistic right? Well, there is the inevitable hope in the music that carries you from depression into evolution.

The last track "Alright" is an optimistic number touting "Well I'm alright, alright, I feel alright I've never been better in my life". This song is actually a bit more complicated but point made.

Their first album, "Message For Albert" is just as good if not slightly less focused but more daring than this release. In fact, both "The Last Great American" & "Love Song", originally found on the first album, are retooled for this release. Better on the first(TLGA) and not quite as effective on the later(LS). I really can't recommend this album enough. I have had a pre-mix version in my possession for over a month and this release is even more engrossing. Trust me and the other reviewers here, You are listening to one of the finest budding musicians on the scene today. You go J.O.!

It's not often that a record inspires you to get on top of a soapbox and scream at the world to pay attention. Amid the songs on the radio that pass as "music" these days, Five For Fighting's "America Town" rises above the morass as redemption for artists everywhere. Simply put, Five For Fighting reminds us (the music lover) of the splendor of pop music.

Lyrically, songwriter John Ondrasik is a master of expression. Without exception, there is great depth to all 12 songs on the album. However, the depth does not detract from the fun. My favorite track, "America Town," has particular relevance in this election year. To me, it is a song about searching for someone to look up to as a leader or hero in a day where few are readily recognizable. The song is an interesting contrast to the tribute paid to another "hero" on "Michael Jordan."

While I have read a couple of album reviews that compare Five For Fighting to artists including Dave Matthews, Ben Folds Five, Elton John, U2 and Counting Crows, the total package is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you want to do something wonderful for yourself, pick up a copy of this album. It will outlast the best of your record collection.

I heard "Superman" once (that's right, ONCE) on the radio here in Baltimore and became instantly committed to buying this album. I think "Superman" is a fantastic tune, comprised of great songwriting and performance. Though I had never heard any music from Five for Fighting before, I guessed that the single song I heard on the radio was evidence of this band's potential for excellent music. My first listen to the album confirmed my speculations. Five for Fighting has compiled a set of great songs on America Town, all of which are accessible music on the softer side of rock. The songs on this disc were written with special attention to poetic lyrics, often poignant and moving, that combine with solid musicianship to deliver a highly entertaining musical experience. "Superman" continues to be one of my favorites on this disc, but a number of the other songs are also quite engrossing, including "Bloody Mary (A Note on Apathy)", "Jainy", and "Boat Parade". Interestingly, after I bought this disc here in Baltimore, I took a business trip to Salt Lake City, where I heard "Superman" played all over the radio! Quite different from Baltimore, but I was glad to see this band getting some radio play in another part of the country - they deserve it. I definitely recommend this album to you Amazon.com listeners!

Like many, I was drawn to Five For Fighting for the lyrically gorgeous Superman, and I was hesitant to buy this album based on past disappointments of loving just one song and hating the rest. But during an hour and a half car ride home, I found myself hanging on to every song on this album and not wanting it to end. John Andrasik's voice gives me chills in the best possible way. If you want to listen to some music that will touch your heart, that will get stuck in your head and will keep you coming back for more, I higly recommend this album to you.