Family Force 5's Business Up Front, Party In The Back captures every bit of energy this quintet has radiated since their shows began dropping jaws of newfound fans last year. Few acts seen in recent years have matched the hype surrounding this band's live performance and few have had such energetic and fun shows since the likes of the O.C. Supertones, Reality Check, or dc Talk.

Powering stereos with a dozen tracks, Business Up Front, Party In The Back never quits from start to finish. Mixing fuzzy guitars, groove-laced rhythms, rap breakdowns, synth effects and often silly lyrics into nearly each song, Family Force 5 is a party band plain and simple. Much of the band's songs put fun first, as displayed in such tracks as "Cadillac Phunque," "Kountry Gentlemen," "X-Girlfriend," "Numb," and "Put Ur Hands Up," poking fun at pop culture and relationships wrapped up into club-friendly packages. Only tracks like the deliciously over-the-top "Love Addict" and the aggressive "Replace Me" really show hints of spiritual content. "Addict" talks about a hopeless addiction to spiritual love and truth while "Replace Me" is a blatant, desperate cry for God's intervention in our lives. "Peachy" tackles a discussion of faith between a believer and a non-Christian within the confines of a bubbly pop anthem. The spirituality of the record ends there, but what remains is one unashamedly lighthearted and fun assortment of songs.

Familiarity runs amuck on Business Up Front, Party In The Back, drawing comparisons to a tripped-out Rage Against The Machine on the raucous "Kountry Gentlemen," and even borrowing a little effect from Usher on the delightfully silly "Supersonic." This never feels too problematic, however, as the band keeps their sound varied per song and interesting throughout. And since Family Force 5 clearly doesn't take themselves too seriously, the silly never feels unbearably cheesy, urging the listener to let loose and join in on the fun.

When all is said and done, Business Up Front, Party In The Back is a ferociously catchy and infectious crunk rock release from the ATL's most promising new act. Although it may be all party with very little business, Family Force 5 is good clean fun that I can recommend to anyone who doesn't mind getting in touch with their inner 'kountry gentleman.'

- Review date: 3/19/06, written by John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com