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"I feel the need, the need for speed."
-naval pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, in Top Gun (1986)

Long before the industrial revolution made planes, trains and automobiles commonplace, the desire for momentum-for the fast lane-has pounded within the human heart. From our first wobbly steps 'til the golden years force us to slow the pace, we spend our lives pushing ahead, moving toward whatever comes next. And some people just can't get there fast enough. Enter the energetic quintet Jump5 and their aptly-titled new disc, Accelerate.

In the four years since their official formation as teen power-pop sensations, Jump5-Brandon, Brittany, Chris, Libby and Lesley-has been building considerable momentum. They've released three albums, and toured with Radio Disney Live!, Aaron Carter, A*Teens, and the Baha Men. They've made the national television circuit on CBS, ABC, PAX and The Disney Channel. They've graced the soundtracks of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Kim Possible, and the DVDs of Lilo & Stitch and Beauty & the Beast. They've even performed at the White House.

It's been one wild ride so far, but there's no doubt, along the way, Jump5 has raised the bar for entertainment aimed at pre-teens and teens, creating a 'just for us' genre kids can't get enough of. And they all agree, "We wouldn't have missed this for anything." They've relished every opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of their peers and even younger fans.

But now that four out of five are of official driving age, JUMP5 is feeling "the need, the need for speed." Accelerate, which releases October 7th, certainly lives up to its name. A zero-60, "dare you to sit still" blast of energetic fun, Accelerate signifies a definitive shift into high gear, propelling five normal teenagers toward even greater musical and personal heights.

Producer Mark Hammond (A*Teens, Avalon, Nichole Nordeman) didn't have to push the group to excel on this new album. He just had to jump in and hang on. "There's a magic that happens when these kids get together, whether on the microphone, in the studio or live on stage," he says of the experience. "They have an energy, a sound, that's unique, totally infectious, and incredibly fun."

"We're more excited about this album than anything we've done before," Libby Hodges, 16, says. "We're accelerating to a new level-with our music, with our performances, and in our own individual lives. It may sound a bit clichéd to say, but we're growing up, and our music has never been more real or more relevant than now."

Beyond the cool, danceable pop that pre-teens love, the lyrics on Accelerate promote positive self-esteem and faith-based values that inspire and empower kids. Songs like "Pressure," which encourages kids not to cave in to people who would drag them down, and "Do Ya," which underscores the fact that real love, real friendship, is unconditional meld message and music seamlessly.

"Being real and not apologizing for who you are is a huge message on Accelerate," Chris Fedun, 17, says. "Real friends don't pressure you to be someone you're not. They like you and accept you because of who you are." It's a message kids have never been more in need of.

Accelerate also includes three classic "feel good" hits-"We Are Family," "Shining Star," and "Walking on Sunshine"-that have been given a modern spin. "We Are Family" is the official theme song of Radio Disney's Family Pledge Initiative, a pledge drive asking 1 million families to pledge they'll spend one hour a week of unique, quality family time together. JUMP5 serves as the official spokesgroup of this family-friendly campaign.

It's a natural fit for Brittany, Brandon, Chris, Lesley and Libby, each one grounded by family and faith. They are real kids who hang out with friends, love videogames, talk on the phone, do homework and chores. What makes them unique as teenagers is the character and purpose they bring with them.

"The thing about family is that they're always going to be there for you," Brittany says, "They're your back-up. It means everything to know that we're all in this together." Jump5 is blessed to have strong relationships with their families and hopes the Disney Family Pledge Initiative will help busy families make time for what matters most.

And believe it or not, these ordinary teenagers really get what matters most.

"It's been awesome to watch them grow as singers, musicians, and performers through the years," producer Hammond continues. "But much more profound has been watching them grow personally. Now more than ever I see a tremendous desire within each one of them not just to make great music, but to use the gifts and opportunities they've been given to make a positive difference in the lives of the kids that look up to them."

Only time will tell just how far JUMP5 will go, but for now, it's full speed ahead.