Review: Five Foot Nine - Five Foot Nine (or) exactly how tall are your dreams

Posted on 20 February 2007 | No Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop

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Five Foot Nine is a new project from Chicago’s Michael Hushel. This six-piece group has a new self-titled album that is full of charming pop songs that reference everything from the jangly guitars of the Blake Babies to the cool jazz sounds of The Sea and Cake. From the guy/girl harmonies reminiscent of 10,000 Maniacs to the vocal styling and world beat of Peter Gabriel there is something for just about everyone here. The music isn’t overly indie yet manages to somehow float just below mainstream alterna rock.

Perhaps it is the vast array of instrumentation such as trumpet, trombone, sax, synths, cello, organ, and sitar that makes Five Foot Nine sound (at times) almost like a more restrained, concise, and pop-oriented Poi Dog. Heck, they even have pedal steel contributions from Ken Champion of Smog/Jim O’Rourke fame.

The band’s eclectic pop sound is easy on the ears and their self-titled album can be purchased here or here.

MP3 | Five Foot Nine – Back To The Tunnels S/T
MP3 | Five Foot Nine – Jardin Du Luxembourg S/T