|
insideREVOLUTION RATING:
USER RATING: 
|
2. You Gave Me A Promise
3. Brand New Day
4. The Hunger
5. Stand Up
6. Forever
7. Go Ahead
8. The Love We Had Before
9. So Help Me God
10. Wrapped In Your Arms Ever since their debut single caught my attention, Fireflight has been on my "must-watch" list. I anticipated their every single, their every business decision, because I knew that their potential could only be harvested through the smartest commercial decisions. Although their follow-up singles failed to reach the bar that "You Decide" had set, the new project Unbreakable becomes a breath of fresh air that explores the band's identity and clearly defines their style.
At first I was wary of Unbreakable after hearing the lead single ["Unbreakable"] of the same name - it wasn't bad, per se, but it was hardly remarkable (just listen to the bridge and you will agree). Fortunately, the rest of the album was more agreeable than this non-anthem.
One thing that Fireflight did well with the album is skillfully magnifying their strengths. Their knack for songwriting shines brightly on the delicious chorus of tracks two to four, each one surprising me with soaring melodies that are well-crafted for radio, unlike the latter singles off of The Healing of Harms that were repetitive. The delicious chorus to "You Gave Me a Promise," along with the its guitar rift, is catchy and very memorable. "Brand New Day" is the perfect choice for a second single, and it sounds as if it would be embraced by mainstream charts as well. And while "The Hunger" is noticeably harder and edgier than the former songs, it remains relevant and displays a high degree of energy. The band has certainly improved in regards to crafting anthems.
The second thing the band does well showcasing their male vocals. This is important as it distinguishes them from other bands - think Skillet, but with the roles flipped. Justin does a good job on "Stand Up," his shouts and harmonies making the song almost like a Christian "Bring Me to Life" (Evanescence). On "The Love We Had Before," his second verse makes the song; and on "So Help Me God" it is apparent how much he adds to the band. Even the grunts on "The Hunger" provide the dash of salt necessary for any great masterpiece.
Fireflight has improved lyrically since the last album. "The Hunger" is a great example of interesting lyrics, and "The Love We Had Before" seems to give a modern twist on our relationships with God: "where is the love we had before?" But like any album that aims to be more mainstream-leaning, there is a limit to the depth of the lyrics. With songs that imitate Avril Lavigne ("Brand New Day") and Kelly Clarkson ("So Help Me God"), it's no wonder that the lyrics are more general in an attempt to be broad and inclusive.
So with the exception of a few missteps on Unbreakable ("Forever" is overshadowed by the superior "Wrapped in Your Arms," and "Go Ahead" is undoubtedly unmotivated), I was surprised by the quality of this album. Unfortunately, the disc is only ten tracks. Fortunately, ten tracks is enough for Fireflight to attain a level of relevancy that some fifteen-track albums cannot. In future albums, I look forward to seeing if they can keep this trait while delving deeper.
- Clem
Disclaimer: This review is based solely on the opinions of it's reviewer and is rated on how that reviewer enjoyed the content.
