Full Review: July 21, 2003

Full review of the Six EP from July 21st, 2003 by Heidi Drockelman of Indie-music.com from the book Are You Making A Sound? The History of The Stepford Five.

It’s probably no secret at this point that I’m becoming a regular fan of this band. From the first material that I heard on Mesh, to their follow-up with The Art of Self-Defense, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing the growth that The Stepford Five has undergone over the past several years. And while I enjoy doing one-off reviews of artists, being able to follow and track the progression of a band can offer some interesting insight into how their particular machine works and moves forward together.

With this carefully chosen set of four songs on this EP, The Stepford Five has taken their brand of confident, guitar-driven melancholic melody and pushed themselves even further into the role of a mature band exploring even more facets of their potential as songwriters and artists. And in so doing, they haven’t lost that fearless sense of themselves that brings the passion and intensity into their now signature sound. I’ve drawn many comparisons between this band and two bands in particular - their now-defunct brilliant Ohio brethren the Afghan Whigs and the equally genius Catherine Wheel. And the touches of influence are still there, but they’re starting to blend into the background as just that as The Stepford Five push their personality even further forward. And you have to admit, if you’re going to be mentioned in the same sentence with another pair of artists, that’s not bad company to keep.

Recorded and mixed in under a week, these four songs simply hammer you over the head with their creatively rhythmic, darkly melodic turns. This is material that has a sense of itself, and the attention to detail is marvelous and magnetic, especially given the quick nature of the recording process. Upon first listen, it’s as though you’ve popped the can open for the first time with all the freshness intact. These are the types of songs that can get over-mixed and analyzed and the band and producer’s recognition of the raw power contained here is the real gem.

This EP comes with the highest recommendation as it combines the best elements of early 90’s raucous rock with a mesmerizing shoe-gaze quality that culminates on the song “Pinhole”. It’s dark and moody, passionate and confident. If you choose one disc to introduce yourself to The Stepford Five, choose this EP. Excellent.

Full Review: June 23, 2003

Review: Six EP by Jake Cansado of Left Off The Dial


The math is slightly confusing.  Four guys who call themselves The Stepford Five.  Their third release is a four-song EP called 6.  It arrived in a gorgeous little semi-transparent envelope with gold printing and a faux-wax seal.  The packaging was very cool, but Momma always told me never to judge a book by its cover.


The bio tells me that I am listening to blistering guitars and manic rhythms.  Sounds like rock music to me.  The disappointing part is that this EP isnt anything special.  Four songs that I cant even remember as soon as the CD stops spinning.  The lyrics dont grab me.  Neither do the blistering guitars and manic rhythms.  Im not saying the music is bad; Im just saying that it doesnt make me care one way or the other.


The singer has one of those rough voices, like he spends a lot of time yelling into microphones or smoking.  His throat sounds even more damaged when he strains for notes outside of his range, which unfortunately happens quite frequently. 


I'm willing to bet that this is one of those bands that sound really good live.  If they can ditch the bar band mentality of the mid-tempo guitar assault and spend some time crafting hooks in the studio, Id be interested in listening to them again.  Until then, I am not.

Full Six EP Review: June 2, 2003

Review: Six EP by Daniel N of Delusions of Adequacy

I'm going to guess that the Stepford Five have been around the block a few times, based almost entirely on the tightness and production of this short EP. No doubt they have fans, good press, well-attended shows, and an otherwise pleasant and promising future.

The numerically named EP 6 - and I can only assume the band as well - seems to take a lot of cues from more straight-up rock bands than the indie-rock bands musically in the same ballpark. There are bands like Catherine Wheel, who just poured straight-up vocal intensity into beautifully atmospheric and challenging soundscapes routed in very traditional rock and roll arena rock fashion. And then there are the bands who sound similar but are obviously playing it safe, taking those strong foundations and learning them well, but not taking the chances needed musically to really keep the listener on their toes.

Don't get me wrong, The Stepford Five are a good-sounding band; the strongest elements being the very Sensefield-ish flowing vocals and guitars which are all over the place but never noodling. But it's the lack of unexpected dynamics that don't help these tracks stand out from each other and the band stand out from others. I just sort of was anticipating everything. I say to just push everything to every limit, add some dissonance, don't play so much in lock with each other, a little less repetition, feet up on the monitors, put the balls to wall, and let's hear all their best elements push through.

"Are You Dreaming" is the best track on the CD, really showcasing the guitar playing abilities and great vocal abilities of The Stepford Five. The second and third songs are unfortunately a bit formulaic and bland. "Six" probably is one of their killer live songs, but it seems to lose its intensity here. Regardless, it's a great song.

Basically, If you liked Catherine Wheel or Sensefield, these guys have a good chance of being on their level in the next couple years, so I'd say go check these guys out live and judge them by that instead of this CD, and get on their bandwagon early.

Full Six EP Review: April 17, 2003

Review: Six EP by Chad Painter of The Other Paper

The Stepford Five has definitely read up on it's Columbus rock. In the past (like on The Art of Self-Defense), the Bowling Green immigrants have tried and failed to find their version of the Columbus sound. Instead, they have had to settle for being Columbus's answer to the Afghan Whigs, which isn't such a bad consolation prize.

On Six, TS5 has finally found its voice.

The album kicks off with 'Are You Dreaming,' a mix of great angular descending riffs and a play on the soft/loud dynamic. Tim Minneci sings, 'I always wondered why/ We failed when we tried/ To hold on.'

The title track has a great stuttering drumbeat and big power chorus that could fit nicely in an arena near you. The band sounds like a cross between Watershed and a more radio-friendly Pretty Mighty Mighty, while Minneci sings, 'Find a way to be yourself/ That's all I'm asking for.'

Elsewhere, 'Fair is Fair' is a slice of alternative rock of days gone by, and 'Pinhole' sounds like a slowed down mix of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.

Six sounds like a band coming into its own. My only complaint is that it's so brief (clocking in at under 18 minutes). Oh well, guess it's just a taste until the full-length in the fall.

Review: Six EP by Stephen Slaybaugh of the Columbus Alive

With 2001's The Art of Self-Defense, the Stepford Five began to move away from the '90s indie guitar-rock influences displayed on its debut, Mesh, stretching a gauze of effects and half-remembered conations over their incendiary emissions.

The band's new EP, 6, which is being released by newly formed local label Reverbose (run by members of the Stepford Five and Miranda Sound) removes such artifices for a more defined sound. The aesthetic works well for the four-piece, placing its components - propulsive drum pounding, icy riffs and Keith Jenkins' careening voice - in sharp relief. In general, the Stepford Five bears a certain resemblance to Bush for their bombast and Jenkins' vocals' similarity to those of Gavin Rossdale. Theirs is a big noise that moves with undeniable and inexhaustible force and drama.

Full Six EP Review: April 17, 2003

Full Six EP review from April 17th, 2003 from the Columbus Alive from the book Are You Making A Sound? The History of The Stepford Five.