Jump5 Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Acrobatic teen pop quartet Jump5 offer up another collection of shimmering radio-ready bulk candy with their fourth studio recording, Dreaming in Color. Like a CCM Andrew W.K., Lesley Moore, Chris Fedun, along with siblings Brittany and Brandon Hargest -- Libby Hodges left the group after 2003's Accelerate -- high-step it out of the gates with the bombastic "In My Heart," an instantly catchy high-school anthem that's equal parts "MMMbop" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me." The four longtime friends have matured vocally and melodically since their 2001 debut, but their penchant for unabashed spirituality, boundless positive energy, and hook-filled disposable pop remains unchanged. This is comforting, as Jump5 have always put fun and faith together without proselytizing, leaving a wide berth for both secular and nonsecular fans to dance around in. Each track is as harmless as it is comforting. Even the brooding "Mind Your Head," with its solemn message about the darker trappings of fame and fortune, is unable to maintain its lyrical heaviness amid the swirling blips and beeps of the record's myriad industry-savvy producers. Jump5 aren't going start a revolution; they're too happy singing, dancing, and falling in love to care, a sentiment best conveyed on their cover of Kiki Dee's "I've Got the Music in Me," where Moore and Hargest sing "when something gets in my way I go around it." ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With Radio Disney's embrace of 2003's Accelerate, Jump5 successfully expanded into the secular dance-pop market, without sacrificing its roots in CCM positivity. With mixes of material from all three Jump5 albums, Mix It Up aims to further entrench Brittany Hargest, Lesley Moore, Libby Hodges, Chris Fedun, and Brandon Hargest as the happiest, most-dancin'est teen crew around. Mixing duties are handled by a host of gospel and CCM regulars, including Mark Hammond, Kene "Ghost" Bell, Robert "Aurel M" Marvin, and Chris Estes. Their work is pretty inspired, deploying energizing synth squeals, skittering percussion, and the occasional sample around Jump5's youthful exuberance on the mike. But Mix It Up's greatest trick is to reconcile the group's previous output with that of Accelerate, which was a great leap forward in terms of production and pop songwriting. Where the 2001 version of "Start Jumpin'" was a forgettable kiddy dance number, the Marvin-mixed version that kicks things off here quivers with cut-up violins, flutes, and clip-art hip-hop vocal drop-ins ("Holla!," "Everybody in the club!"). There's even a fellow counting in Japanese. It's right at home next to "Wonderful," Pressure," and the fun "Do Ya," three of Accelerate's strongest tracks. "Spinnin' Around" is amped with a Christian-themed rap from the Heavy D-ish Lyle Day; "Bless the remix," he says at the beginning. Dan Muckala's work on "All I Can Do" might be the strongest remixing work here. Its big beat bump isn't very contemporary, and it owes a debt to Fatboy Slim's "Right Here, Right Now." But in relation to "Do"'s original version, his "Historemix" pulsates with cool. That's important for Jump5, for as admirable as their positive message is, cool tends to resonate more than Christ. This is not to say the group is shunning the Christian security blanket. They're still as squeaky clean as ever, as Mix It Up's hilariously clunky beatbox interlude proves. But it's nice to see their music's quality catching up with their addictive energy and faith-based positivity. Mix It Up tacks on Jump5's version of the Kool & the Gang classic "Celebration," which originally appeared on the Kim Possible soundtrack. In addition to Brandon's unfortunate beatbox attempts, the album features a funny interlude of the gang trying desperately to record an ID while fighting a severe case of the giggles. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Jump5 returns to the CCM dance-pop ranks with Accelerate, and though it isn't the "quantum leap forward" its liner notes suggest, it's a skillfully executed, cunningly cheerful album that prevails by embracing its own predictability. Naturally, it's impossible to figure out who's singing what, as the wispy vocal styles of Brittany Hargest, Lesley Moore, and Libby Hodges are nearly identical. And Jump5's boy quotient doesn't fare much better -- Chris Fedun and Brandon Hargest are relegated to supporting harmonies and the occasional "Hey!" or "Uh-huh!" Musically too, Accelerate is mostly whirring electronics, vague, powder puff guitar riffs, and tittering drum tracks that sound store-bought. But while their peers seem content to sell such vapidity at face value, Jump5 has God on its side, and the magnetic quality of a universal message called "FUN!" They have no use for the coy come-ons of Play's Replay, where the Swedish quartet toyed awkwardly with Destiny's Child-style sexual themes. Nor will they endorse the suburban thugisms that lurk in the androidal Aaron Carter's "Aaron's Party (Come Get It)." No, Brittany, Lesley, Libby, Chris, and Brandon want nothing more than to top off your self-image with their positive energy drink. "I hope I don't drive you insane/With my big right foot and unkempt mane," they sing over "Do Ya"'s primary color groove. "I know you love me the way I am." Sure, they're probably singing about God, and that might make some secular listeners awkward. They also drop the "Lords" pretty liberally throughout the album. But can you really preach effectively through a vocoder? In actuality, Accelerate is just an S Club 7 album minus two members and Bradley's bad rapping. "Every Part of Me" is able to conjure some slow jam atmosphere, and even features a tabla drum percussion sample. Good-natured covers of "Walking on Sunshine" and "We Are Family" are totally obvious, but the co-ed vocal tradeoffs on a run through Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star" are infectious in a youth group pep rally sort of way, and the track is actually pretty funky. Conversely, the only thing funky about Carter's cover of the Strangeloves' "I Want Candy" is its shelf life. Accelerate works because it doesn't hide its happiness and genuine zest for life amidst mixed pop music messages. It's as shallow as it wants to be, but meaningful all the same. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
'All the Joy in the World'
Release Date 10/22/2002
Tracks 8
Label Sparrow
See Album Tracklist and Review
'All the Time in the World'
Release Date 8/13/2002
Tracks 11
Label Sparrow
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This self-titled album is the first full-length effort from this Christian rock group known as Jump5. Members Brandon Hargest, Chris Fedon, Libby Hodges, Lesley Moore, and Brittany Hargest range in age from 12 to 15. All of them let their vocal talents shine on this superb debut recording. Listening to the album, fans will miss one part of the group's performance: the dance moves done to perfection by these energetic teens who are trained gymnasts and dancers. The music on Jump5 is dance-pop that carries an infectious rhythm along with positive, upbeat lyrics and Christian values sure to make young fans think, and maybe even see some things from a new point of view. Some of the best tracks on the debut album are "Tell Me Why," "All I Want," "Spinnin' Around," "I Belong to You," "The Meaning of Life," and "Change a Heart, Change the World." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide
