" Off the Ivory Coast" by Category 5 - Review

Woodhaven, Michigan-based musical act Category 5 are showcasing their unique styles of Classic Rock, Jazz, and Progressive Rock through their 2009 debut EP Off The Ivory Coast. After several successful stints performing a wide array of cover tunes for local venues in and around Detroit, the members of Category 5 are demonstrating their own unique and inspiring writing techniques on their debut EP. The five-track debut features songs of reminiscent memories of the band's creation through the Hard Rock-themed track "7 Daze Warning" while singing of personal and heartfelt recollection on the Rock ballads "Home Again" and "I Wonder".

Through the Hard Rock track "7 Daze Warning," the band members are able to reminisce on the formation and creation of Category 5. After performing alongside Progressive Rock band Twist of Fate, lead Guitarist Joe Czentnar desired to create his own band. In 2006, after holding Detroit-based auditions, Czentnar welcomed lead Vocalist Perry Zaremba into the developing act. After the successful outcome of the auditions, Czentnar began the search for a Keyboard and Bass player. Shortly after holding the auditions, Czentnar introduced remaining musicians Kevin Davis as Keyboardist and George Koch as Bassist. After forming and uniting on a musical front, the members of Category 5 began to perform a variety of cover tunes throughout local clubs based in Michigan. After performing at various clubs around Michigan including Bumper's Bar and Grille, Dockside Jacks, and B Boomers, the members of Category 5 were able to form an extensive song set-list full of cover songs. With the song "7 Daze Warning", the musicians from Category 5 were able to reminisce on the positive creations of the band through this upbeat track. After demonstrating their unique styles to popular cover tracks, Category 5 began to take a more creative approach to music as they developed their own individual writing techniques.

The debut EP Off The Ivory Coast features an array of original songs written by the band members of Category 5. As personal ode to their families, the musicians decided to write the heartfelt tracks "Home Again" and "I Wonder" as a tribute to their loved ones. "Home Again", the first track written by Lead Vocalist Perry Zaremba, features the singer's powerful vocal range while reflecting on temporary separation from loved ones. According to an online July 2010 interview with Highwire Daze, lead Guitarist Joe Czentnar stated the song was Zaremba's recollection of "only being able to see his children the 2 days a week" he was scheduled off from work. Showcasing a vocal range comparable to original Journey lead singer Steve Perry and a vocal approach similar to that of Soundgarden lead Guitarist Chris Cornell, Zaremba demonstrates heartfelt feelings through his powerful voice. The lyrics, "...You reach for me, and it's hard to go/Absence is where fondness grows/When you know I'm coming home.../" display Zaremba's pondering thoughts while reminiscing about family. While Zaremba reminisces on separation from loved ones, Bassist George Koch writes an emotional ode to his mother on the ballad "I Wonder". The lyrics, "...I look around, cause the peace is no longer there/the days move fast, your things are all around me/I hope and pray but the memories still surround.../" captures the sentimental value as Koch emotionally reflects on the loss of his mother. After his mother's passing, Koch ponders many thoughts as he questions life without his mother's positive influences surrounding his life. Throughout the tracks on the album, listeners are personally touched by the compassion behind the lyrics.

Through the tracks on Off The Ivory Coast, Category 5 are able to showcase an exceptional and incomparable writing technique to other musicians around the World. With their personal and heartfelt lyrics and sound, many listeners are eager to hear more from the band.

For more information about Category 5 and their debut EP Off The Ivory Coast, please visit http://www.cat5rocks.com