Review / 200 Words Or Less
I Call Fives
First Things First

Open Your Eyes (2008) — Michael

I Call Fives – First Things First cover artwork
I Call Fives – First Things First — Open Your Eyes, 2008

New Jersey natives I Call Fives offer up a style of pop-punk that have become increasingly popular in the past couple of years. You know the type. Fast and melodic punk meets bubblegum pop. The results are undoubtedly catchy, but it's a sound that is quickly becoming supersaturated. Thankfully, I Call Fives don't rely on neon-splattered logo t's and out of place hardcore breakdowns to get fans; and that is something that I admire.

Instead, I Call Five give us the infectious sing-alongs of "My Last Mistake" that bring to mind the early New Found Glory catalog mixed with a dash of the emo-leanings of Saves the Day. Cuts like "Twelve Credits Short" and "This Song is So

2006" bring to mind the days of the circa-2000 Drive-Thru Records catalog. So listening to this record is a bit nostalgic in that aspect.

First Things First is a pretty good debut effort. I can definitely find myself listening to this record when I need something upbeat to put me in a good mood

well of course that's if I can't find my New Found Glory CD's. Nevertheless, I can easily see them blowing up with the right exposure.

7.5 / 10 — Michael • March 18, 2009

I Call Fives – First Things First cover artwork
I Call Fives – First Things First — Open Your Eyes, 2008

Related news

I Call Fives: new EP w/ a reissue too (of sorts)

Posted in Records on February 11, 2023

No Sleep Signs I Call Fives

Posted in Labels on March 11, 2010

Recently-posted album reviews

Fontaines D.C.

Dopamine Chamber
XL Recordings (2026)

EP HIGHLIGHTS – “Tongue”, “Where Is Gone?”, “You Miss Me”, “Japan” If you’ve been here from the start, Fontaines D.C. will always conjure up gritty, political poetry and clashing, driving rhythms. Third album Skinty Fia, the defining breakthrough moment and fan favourite, gave them their first number one record in the UK and Ireland in 2022 – but can they … Read more

DeeCracks

True Nothing
Pirates Press (2026)

Let’s get crazy and out of control! That’s what the opening line of the album instructs us to do and I’m inclined to listen. I am new to the DeeCRACKS party and I’m not sure how I missed them. Celebrating 20 years in 2023, the band released 20 Years. A Frantic Effort, and I’m sure this newest release fully delivers … Read more

Massive Nightmares

Ain't My World
Black Numbers (2026)

Massive Nighmares debuted in 2024 with a short EP. Now they return with a full-length. The band plays a somewhat even blend of punk, emo, and alt-rock. As an example, check out "Up In Arms," which is like Dear You era Jawbreaker with a boost of power-pop and maybe some Lemonheads mixed in as well. While it's easily the poppiest … Read more