GB5 consists of the five Gutierrez brothers from California, a tight vocal group a la 4Him, with a slight Latin flair, from Spring Hill Worship and TSG Records.
Their debut, "Unbreakable Bond," fuses the tight harmonies of an a cappella group with an adult contemporary pop feel and adds a dash of salsa. They lack the sizzle of Salvador, the energy of the Katinas, but their genuine bond as brothers comes across strong, adding to the album's authenticity. Brothers Louie, Jamie, Issac, Mark and Aaron had no band aspirations but they did enjoy worshipping together, and it shows up nicely on "Unbreakable Bond."
The first several tracks lead into an immediate old school feel, the sweet harmonies of "Holy, Holy" bringing 4Him to mind, and the funky "You Who Reigns" reminiscent of Ron Kenoly offerings. That's not necessarily a bad thing, GB5 could do a lot worse right out of the gate. Their tight harmonies are dead on, a lifetime of singing together paying off nicely in the layered vocals of "As Long As I Can Pray." The lively horns of standout track "Te Alabo," sung in both Spanish and English, add a vibrant upbeat feel to the heartfelt praise lyrics. GB5 depends on a large number of outside writers and producers, so it's somewhat hard to find their definitive groove. I think they do best when they raise the tempo and cut loose, as they do on the beats-rich "If I Should Fall," laden with popping rhythms and passionate vocals. Once they pass that sixth track they slide into a very smooth groove, offering up five songs that range from ballad to slow pop. Each and every one goes down smooth as better with their tight boy band vocals, but it does slow the project's momentum considerably. I'd have added some sizzle if I was at the helm, but alas, I have no helm. Still, GB5 are a talented crew with much to offer and their next project may be the one to watch for.
