Just picked it up.. I dug John's last album "Battle for Everything"... he is very top 40 oriented, but his albums also contain a little depth, and very beautiful melodies..
This new album is predominantly piano driven, still trying to answer the questions of life.
This album isn't defining new heights in music, and that wasn't its intention, its songs that are pop oriented, good one's at that..

John plays most all of the instruments

Songs include: (samples also)
Freedom Never Cries - song about not embracing true freedom of a lot of things in life, and taking things for granted.
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494436

World - kindof neat little song.. about creating a world from the start, talks about having no instructions, or commandments..
I liked the line about "Raise your army, choose your steeple, don't be shy.. the satellites can look the other way"
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494415

California Justice - I like the melody, but not so much the lyrics.
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494422


The Riddle - Very top 40 oriented, i'm not crazy about this one.. it sounds like it was meant for radio.. and i'm sure they'll wear this one out.
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494401

Two Lights - title track, about John visiting a home where their son went to war, and they got a call about a soldier in his division that died, and they weren't sure it was their child. The father went driving and told his wife if she finds out he is alive, leave two lights so he'll know when he drives up. very beautiful song.
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494408

'65 Mustang - contains a very nice melody.. guitar driven song.. very catchy. The title of the track makes it obvious to know what the songs about.
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494387

I Just Love You - Slow piano track, that was inspired by his 4 year old daughter who called him whil he was on the road, and basically told him "I just love you".. very simply song, beautiful..
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494394

Policeman's X-Mas Party - Danceable track.. nice drum beat. upbeat.. dark chords.
very humorous lyrics, but actually a true story.. about someone breaking in his home and stabbing the maids husband, nearly killing him.
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494373

Road to Heaven - another track inspired by one of his children, this time his son.. the song is very loosely played.. not sure how much i dig this one.. it has nice lyrics, but the song is almost too spaced out it seems... I guess that was the idea
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494359

Johnny America - This is one of my favorites on the album, sounds very mccartney inspired by the piano melody.. very upbeat and catchy. nice one. the sample doesn't even do it justice.
http://www.sonybmgmedia.c...id=2494380
[Edited 8/2/06 10:41am]

John Ondrasik is a wonderful songwriter. Melodies for days.

I also saw him live a few years ago, and it was great... hope to see him again.

JulesWindu said:

yeah, i'm impressed with some of his work... love his acoustic renditions too