A considerably less threatening figure than his macho stage name would imply, singer-songwriter John Ondrasik, who performs as Five for Fighting (FFF), is basically a peaceful civilian who happens to love the sport of ice hockey and touring Cuba with the USO. Touted as the new Billy Joel, FFF appeared on the popular music radar in 2000 when his patriotic debut album America Town went platinum in the U.S. In the tradition of great singer-pianists, FFF digs deep in an attempt to explore pop, country and rock content that ranges from socially self-conscious Jim Croce-inspired pleas for change to James Blunt-esque romantic laments that leave you limp in your blue jeans. Lacking any real sense of rebellion, Ondrasik’s high-range vocals and easy listening vibe are accessible to most, but will likely only appeal to a few listeners in more than a passing fashion. Still, the post-9/11 “adult contemporary” crowd couldn’t get enough of his hit “Superman (it’s not easy)” from the altruistically titled The Battle for Everything. Emotional blackmail enters the picture as he weaves the lyric “I never loved a soldier until there was a war/ Or thought about tomorrow till my baby hit the floor/ I only talk to God when somebody’s about to die/ I never cherished freedom/ Freedom never cries....” Ondrasik tickles the ivories and tugs ruthlessly on the heartstrings throughout his yellow-ribboned triumph “Freedom Never Cries.” It takes no small amount of syrup and smooth talk to wash down this bitter pill, smacking of David Foster as it does. By no means a heavyweight contender, FFF’s Live release does a modest job of encapsulating 30 years’ worth of light rock and the unmitigated success of his previous albums.

PS John — you make a fist with your thumb on the outside!