The Fifth Sign
A Review by Don Hobbs

For those of you already familiar with the Sherlock Holmes inspired alternative rock band The Fifth Sign, it will be a pleasant trip down Memory Lane, as the band reaches back to their beginnings with their latest album He's Dead John (Fairdale Records, 2007). From the first chord of the album's first track, "Straight Back to You" a tune with a haunting melody and crisp lyrics about Henry Wood's undying love for Nancy Barclay. It is reminenscent of the group's first album Over the Falls (Fairdale Records, 1998). The title track of this 1998 classic has the same haunting sound.

The next track, features lead singer Henry Hudson's high and lonesome voice on "Electric Blue Boogie".  This is followed closely by a ballad that showcases the band's unique harmony.  "The Ballad of a White Man" written by drummer John Hebron, retells the story of Godfrey Emsworth. Track four is a rap-inspired  "Penang Me, Penang Me, They Oughta Take a Rope and Hang Me." The group's humor and sophistification shine on the next song. "There Ain't No Chruch on Church Street, Just Some Old Bookseller."

"Where's My Wound Today?" features a beautiful piano solo by Peter Carey. Fans of the
band will be taken back to "Dupin' the Pawnbroker" also from Over the Falls. Not every
track is great as is evident in "You Can't Say That in the Diogenes Club."  Henry Hudson's is again at his best on "The Dog Won't Do Nothing."

The album's final three song make up an awe-inspiring triology, "He's Dead, John", "I'm Dead, John", and "You're Dead, John" looks at the Sherlockian Canon from an angle that makes most Sherlockians  a bit uncomfortable.  The return to the album's theme of Reichenbach Falls and the relationships among life, death, and detectvie fiction is dealt with powerful lyrics and an underlying beat that is both infectious and alluring.

He's Dead, John features Henry Hudson, vocals, guitar, mandolin; John Hebron, vocals, drums, tamborine, guitar (track 4, 6); Peter Carey, piano, organ, cow bell; and Neil Gibson, 5-string electric bass, 4-string electric bass, backup vocals. This is the band's sixth album and they have reached that plateau reserved for only the best.  I give the record 4-deerstalkers!!

1. Straight Back to You
2. Electric Blue Boogie
3. The Ballad of a White Man
4. Penang Me, Penang Me, They Oughta Take a Rope and Hang Me
5. There Ain't No Chruch on Church Street, Just Some Old Bookseller
6. Where's My Wound Today
7. You Can't Say That in the Diogenes Club
8. The Dog Won't Do Nothing
9. He's Dead, John
10. I'm Dead John
11. You're Dead, John

Happy Collecting!!