Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Five for Fighting’s lone official member, John Ondrasik, crafts easy-listening adult contemporary pop that rarely disappoints in bringing smooth, ambitious melodies to sincere and well-balanced lyrics. It’s exactly these strengths that can turn into liabilities over the long haul, but Ondrasik and producer Gregg Wattenberg kick up the energy for 2013’s Bookmarks. Songs like “What If,” “Down,” “Road to You," and “She’s My Girl” all sound as if energy drinks were supplied to the backing musicians before the sessions. Not that Ondrasik doesn’t settle into a sweet piano-and-strings track from time to time. “I Don’t Want Your Love” handles a melody as ambitious as anything from Elton John. “Symphony Lane” delivers on its title. “You’ll Never Change” settles in with piano arpeggios before a big chorus breaks through, meaning Ondrasik’s contemporary easy listening is more like modestly semi-hard soft rock.

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