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This review was released on Sunday, March 25, 2012.
Now
Fireflight
Flicker Records
Released Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Holy Visage rates this album:
★ ★ ★ - Good
Collected score:
33/50
Fireflight is a band that we have supported and loved throughout the years. With their latest release, Now, Fireflight has taken a completely different approach to their recording and playing style. This album introduces slower and lighter tracks, with more piano and sound effects than heavy guitar and clashing drums. However, lead vocalist Dawn Michele reaches new vocal heights on this album, as she is able to reach much higher octaves than heard in previous albums. With love, we have to say that this album is Fireflight's weakest effort. Disappointment aside, Now is still a very enjoyable album, with provoking lyrics, flawless vocals, and solid instrument performances. Now encourages listeners to break through their circumstances and never hesitate to take action in their own lives.
1. "Stay Close"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album opens with a hard rocking masterpiece. With "Stay Close," Fireflight proves to their audience that their talent has increased with every album. In the song, lead vocalist Dawn Michele speaks of the emptiness one feels without the presence of God in their life. Lead vocalist Dawn Michele calls out to God, begging him to make his presence known, telling herself that she will never turn her back on Him again. The song spreads its impact with relatable lyrics, incredible vocals, heavy guitar riffs, moving bass, and crisp drums from new drummer Adam McMillion. This song is the best song on the album, and one of the best songs ever recorded by Fireflight. Unfortunately, this song is the high point of the album.
2. "Ignite"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
This solid track is riddled with enjoyable guitar riffs and outstanding vocals. The song is set at a lower tempo, yet still packs a thundering punch of loud guitars, vibrating bass, and crisp drums. Guitarist and backup vocalist Justin Cox is given an enjoyable amount of singing in the song's chorus. This song proclaims to breakaway from one's own complacency, and chase something better than what is found in this world.
3. "Escape"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
Similar to this song's preceding track, this song encourages one to escape from the sin of this world and run to God. Lyrically, this song is one of the best tracks on the album, ending with Dawn Michele repeating encouraging words to her listeners, reminding them that they have a purpose in this world, and that they are loved. This song is easily Dawn Michele's finest vocal performance on the album, as she achieves unbelievable range in the chorus.
4. "He Weeps"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
This song is a soft ballad that begins with piano, then builds up enjoyably in the bridge. This song is reminiscent of "Name" from the bands previous album, For Those Who Wait. The song ultimately questions God’s presence in times of need, but then declares a comforting reminder of God's promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. This song is most likely to be a hit on Christian radio, as it is lyrically encouraging and instrumentally inviting.
5. "Keeping Me Alive"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★
The album's midway point is an driven by electrric guitar and pop feel. The song is a very uplifting track, reminding listeners that God is the only one somebody can truly rely on in times one's time of trouble. The song is instrumentally upbeat and mellow, a completely different and new sound from Fireflight.
6. "Stronger Than You Think"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
This head-banging, energetic song is one of the few of its kind on the album. Lyrically, this song is as a response to the devil, reminding him that he doesn't own our souls, as we have given our lives to God. In the song, Dawn Michele demands the devil to stay away from her in the name of God. The song is very fast-paced and loud, with heavy guitars, thumping bass, clashing drums, and pure vocals. This song is one of the best songs on this album.
7. "Prove Me Wrong"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★
The album slows down for a while with this song. In this song, Dawn Michele speaks of how one cannot fully understand how God works, as he proves our doubts in Him wrong. The song also reveals how God will often move beyond what we ask for, as He sees the greater good and purpose for our lives. Just as we think we are at our end, God shows up again in our lives. This song begins quiet, but builds up in the chorus and bridge. This song has a new and unique sound from Fireflight.
8. "Dying For Your Love"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
Returning the loud, heavy Fireflight that we all love, this song brings the listener incredible vocals from Dawn Michele and Justin Cox, as well as loud and motivating instruments. Telling the story of someone who is on the edge of breaking, this song exclaims to the listener that one can never outrun or hide from the love of God. Dawn Michele sings of thirst and desire for God to reveal his love to her again. This song is one of the heaviest songs on the album, and definitely one of the best tracks to be heard on the album.
9. "Rise Above"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★
The penultimate song on the album is yet another mellow, soft rock ballad based around piano and sound effects. Lyrically, the song deals with the idea of looking one's fears in the eyes with the support and strength of God. The song is lyrically inspring, and consists of soothing vocals from Dawn Michele.
10. "Now"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
The album ends with the title track, which appeared as the opening track in the band's previous albums. The song is very fast-paced and loud, with killer vocals from Dawn Michele and energetic instrumental performances. The song goes by in a blur of enjoyable lyrics and head-banging instruments. The song wraps the idea of the entire album into one chorus, reminding us that we must not wait for our chance to become everything God planned for us to become in our lives. This song is one of the best tracks on the album, and is an excellent way to end the album.
Though we believe that Fireflight could have produced much better of an album than the result, Now is an incredible album, with Dawn Michele's best vocal performance yet, and an unforgettable introduction from new drummer Adam McMillion. This album is definitely a recommened purchase. Though we feel that Fireflight failed to reach their full potential with the release of this album, we are still very pleased and impressed with this band that continues to grow in talent and love for God.
Top songs of this album:
1. "Stay Close"
2. "Ignite"
3. "Now"
4. "Stronger Than You Think"
5. "Dying For Your Love"
This review was written by Austin Lovelace.
Fireflight
Flicker Records
Released Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Holy Visage rates this album:
★ ★ ★ - Good
Collected score:
33/50
Fireflight is a band that we have supported and loved throughout the years. With their latest release, Now, Fireflight has taken a completely different approach to their recording and playing style. This album introduces slower and lighter tracks, with more piano and sound effects than heavy guitar and clashing drums. However, lead vocalist Dawn Michele reaches new vocal heights on this album, as she is able to reach much higher octaves than heard in previous albums. With love, we have to say that this album is Fireflight's weakest effort. Disappointment aside, Now is still a very enjoyable album, with provoking lyrics, flawless vocals, and solid instrument performances. Now encourages listeners to break through their circumstances and never hesitate to take action in their own lives.
1. "Stay Close"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album opens with a hard rocking masterpiece. With "Stay Close," Fireflight proves to their audience that their talent has increased with every album. In the song, lead vocalist Dawn Michele speaks of the emptiness one feels without the presence of God in their life. Lead vocalist Dawn Michele calls out to God, begging him to make his presence known, telling herself that she will never turn her back on Him again. The song spreads its impact with relatable lyrics, incredible vocals, heavy guitar riffs, moving bass, and crisp drums from new drummer Adam McMillion. This song is the best song on the album, and one of the best songs ever recorded by Fireflight. Unfortunately, this song is the high point of the album.
2. "Ignite"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
This solid track is riddled with enjoyable guitar riffs and outstanding vocals. The song is set at a lower tempo, yet still packs a thundering punch of loud guitars, vibrating bass, and crisp drums. Guitarist and backup vocalist Justin Cox is given an enjoyable amount of singing in the song's chorus. This song proclaims to breakaway from one's own complacency, and chase something better than what is found in this world.
3. "Escape"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
Similar to this song's preceding track, this song encourages one to escape from the sin of this world and run to God. Lyrically, this song is one of the best tracks on the album, ending with Dawn Michele repeating encouraging words to her listeners, reminding them that they have a purpose in this world, and that they are loved. This song is easily Dawn Michele's finest vocal performance on the album, as she achieves unbelievable range in the chorus.
4. "He Weeps"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
This song is a soft ballad that begins with piano, then builds up enjoyably in the bridge. This song is reminiscent of "Name" from the bands previous album, For Those Who Wait. The song ultimately questions God’s presence in times of need, but then declares a comforting reminder of God's promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. This song is most likely to be a hit on Christian radio, as it is lyrically encouraging and instrumentally inviting.
5. "Keeping Me Alive"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★
The album's midway point is an driven by electrric guitar and pop feel. The song is a very uplifting track, reminding listeners that God is the only one somebody can truly rely on in times one's time of trouble. The song is instrumentally upbeat and mellow, a completely different and new sound from Fireflight.
6. "Stronger Than You Think"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
This head-banging, energetic song is one of the few of its kind on the album. Lyrically, this song is as a response to the devil, reminding him that he doesn't own our souls, as we have given our lives to God. In the song, Dawn Michele demands the devil to stay away from her in the name of God. The song is very fast-paced and loud, with heavy guitars, thumping bass, clashing drums, and pure vocals. This song is one of the best songs on this album.
7. "Prove Me Wrong"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★
The album slows down for a while with this song. In this song, Dawn Michele speaks of how one cannot fully understand how God works, as he proves our doubts in Him wrong. The song also reveals how God will often move beyond what we ask for, as He sees the greater good and purpose for our lives. Just as we think we are at our end, God shows up again in our lives. This song begins quiet, but builds up in the chorus and bridge. This song has a new and unique sound from Fireflight.
8. "Dying For Your Love"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
Returning the loud, heavy Fireflight that we all love, this song brings the listener incredible vocals from Dawn Michele and Justin Cox, as well as loud and motivating instruments. Telling the story of someone who is on the edge of breaking, this song exclaims to the listener that one can never outrun or hide from the love of God. Dawn Michele sings of thirst and desire for God to reveal his love to her again. This song is one of the heaviest songs on the album, and definitely one of the best tracks to be heard on the album.
9. "Rise Above"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★
The penultimate song on the album is yet another mellow, soft rock ballad based around piano and sound effects. Lyrically, the song deals with the idea of looking one's fears in the eyes with the support and strength of God. The song is lyrically inspring, and consists of soothing vocals from Dawn Michele.
10. "Now"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
The album ends with the title track, which appeared as the opening track in the band's previous albums. The song is very fast-paced and loud, with killer vocals from Dawn Michele and energetic instrumental performances. The song goes by in a blur of enjoyable lyrics and head-banging instruments. The song wraps the idea of the entire album into one chorus, reminding us that we must not wait for our chance to become everything God planned for us to become in our lives. This song is one of the best tracks on the album, and is an excellent way to end the album.
Though we believe that Fireflight could have produced much better of an album than the result, Now is an incredible album, with Dawn Michele's best vocal performance yet, and an unforgettable introduction from new drummer Adam McMillion. This album is definitely a recommened purchase. Though we feel that Fireflight failed to reach their full potential with the release of this album, we are still very pleased and impressed with this band that continues to grow in talent and love for God.
Top songs of this album:
1. "Stay Close"
2. "Ignite"
3. "Now"
4. "Stronger Than You Think"
5. "Dying For Your Love"
This review was written by Austin Lovelace.