You know that coworker who occupies the cubicle right behind yours, the one who's always talking about this really great band he's in? Remember the story of how they used to be a cover band until the members decided they were going to take a real shot at rock stardom? Remember? Were you listening or were you thinking about how great it is that you found a job with a loose business casual dress code? Well listen damnit! This is that band, and its name is Restraining Order.
If you hadn't been fantasizing about having an affair with Donna from HR, you'd know that Restraining Order has just released Five on Blue, a five track EP follow up to their 14 song debut CD Last Time You Took Me Back. Everything about Restraining Order screams FUN! Hell, there's a monkey on the cover of Five on Blue. How much more FUN can you get? The EP is funky, punky, catchy, goofy, and chill, with a double-shot of saxophone. It's full of all the energy and spirit one would expect of a DIY project (at least I think it's a DIY -- wait -- yep, it is, the bottom of the CD is green). DIY = Do It Yourself = Initiative.
Five on Blue is a lighthearted look at the lives of nine-to-fivers with road gig ambitions. "Windows II," the fourth track on the EP, reinforces the monotony and predictability of the working life with the expectations that something big could happen any night, possibly with Tara, the subject of "Swiper of My Heart," a song about a girl-behind-the-counter crush. All five tracks on the EP are upbeat and well done. Although the music isn't anything new or outstanding, the EP does have some unidentifiable quality (it's only 15 minutes long). This band is determined to make the magic happen on their own.
More about: Restraining Order
