Five Point Plan

Album Review

Five Point Plan's self-titled debut album preceded the neo-soul movement's full blossoming, but no doubt belongs to the movement. Led by charismatic lead vocalist Latrice Barnett, the California Bay Area group plays old-fashioned R&B with a contemporary, urban edge. Much of the group's "soul" comes courtesy of Barnett, who tends to overshadow her band in concert as well as on this debut album. In particular, the album's first two songs, "Live Today" and "It Don't Mean Nothin'," stand out, though the album's following songs are no doubt on a par, just not quite as infectious. Overall, this self-titled effort is a satisfactory debut for Five Point Plan, though marred a bit by lo-fi-sounding production. Two years later, the group would return with a more polished follow-up effort, Rare, that incorporated a host of guest musicians and better production.