By Jacob Sahms

Musically talented from infancy (practically!), John Ondrasik takes the hockey penalty to a whole new level of notoriety. Here, Five For Fighting shares Two Lights, an album of hope and longing, rather than the five-minute penalty for a hockey fight on the ice. Most famous for “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” the singer-songwriter rose to prominence after 9-11, and soon found his hit “100 Years” played in various TV settings, from Scrubs to Sportscenter segments.

Now, Two Lights’ first single is “The Riddle,” but I’ll start with “Freedom Never Cries,” a haunting and meaningful tune that breathes country, rock ‘n roll, and a bit of soul as well. Asked what he thinks about writing and singing, Ondrasik says, “that’s all I can do: try to write things that matter. At the end of the day all you can say is what you believe.” Here, he details the sort of argument that Pastor Martin Niemöller laid out when considering the Nazis encroachment and the average German’s apathy. Here, he recognizes that he took the flag as a symbol of the United States or the service of a soldier for granted until his own freedom was threatened, and now as an old man, he sees their importance. Patriotism may not be the ‘goal’ of the song, but recognition of what we take for granted may grow out of a good listen.

The optimism of “World,” and the expected piano-soft rock we expect from Ondrasik, crash into ironic-silly ode to his home state in “California Justice.” Neither one has ‘it,’ the sound that "The Riddle" carries with it. Along with a music video that shows his own blue mustang, he passes along a sense of history through the old man he speaks to and his own child. Chasing down the meaning of life, he sings, “There are secrets that we still have left to find/There have been mysteries from the beginning of time/There are answers we're not wise enough to see.” There’s a mysticism behind these words, and the haunting score behind them adds to their mystery. No wonder this was the first single—it lights up the album by its clever tone, and allows more hope than some of Ondrasik’s regular grittiness.

“Two Lights” is both tribute and warning, as Ondrasik shares the experiences of a Vietnam veteran and his son, now preparing to serve in Iraq. The clash of pride and fear as the two share common experiences, one known and one yet to know, highlights clever songwriting and provides the ‘story’ aspect that Ondrasik harnesses on each album. Storytelling serves the writer but the beautiful notes of each song provide the backdrop that cause each song to stick in your head long afterward. "65 Mustang" is Ondrasik’s story—and that of his father as well. Once again, he shows an affinity for the father-son relationships, and expresses them well in song. (He’ll flip it momentarily in “I Just Love You,” highlighting the love that his four-year-old unconditionally shows him.)

Ondrasik has some questions he can’t answer—and his vulnerable enough to bring his listeners along for the ride. Whether it’s the war or growing older, he’s openly admitting that he’s weak and needs help.  My favorite is “Road To Heaven,” hey I write for HollywoodJESUS, as he examines the mysteries that he himself can’t explain. Five For Fighting conveys one of those simple, yet evasive truths: life is a journey, not a destination, so which path are you going to take?

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