Fireflight Unbreakable Flicker Records Rock 03-04-2008

SCORE 89%

With sophomore project Unbreakable, the Orlando band give up ten tracks of message-driven thundering rock, coming as close to metal as possible without crossing the jagged line. While ten tracks is a light load, the album has an epic quality that may compensate. Lots of BIG anthems, and plenty of hard-driving guitars and hooks as well. The title track is already bringing in big props, showing up on TV promos for NBC’s Bionic Woman.

Opening with the blistering title track, Unbreakable announces immediately its themes of strength and hope. Written about the classic gospel tale of the woman caught in adultery, the encouraging lyrics call us to forget our fear and keep going: “Sometimes it’s hard to just keep going/ But faith is moving without knowing.” Over the track’s percolating rhythms and thick guitar riffs, lead singer Dawn Richardson reminds us to press forward in faith. Richardson has clearly recovered from her vocal chord issues of last year, and in her support Fireflight vocally leans more on guitarist Justin Cox this time around. It’s a move that pays off well for Unbreakable; while her strapping vocals hold up to the highest proto-punk standards, her tone is not particularly distinctive. She doesn’t have Sarah Kelly’s grit or Adie Camp’s ethereal depth. What she does have is a lot of heart. Her delivery throughout is fiery and passionate, from the pop-rock track “Brand New Day,” accented by strings, to the more worship-oriented “Forever,” its energy pulled taut  by a thicket of rhythms and edgy guitar support. “The Hunger,” moving from heavy beats and aggressive riffs to stop-on-a-dime moments of hushed quiet, showcases Richardson’s ability to do softer material as well. The well-constructed track encourages us to break out of our ruts and ‘let love win.’ The anthemic “Stand Up” also shifts back and forth easily from hard-driving gritty rock to airy movements of lustrous light.

Every member brings their A game to standout track “Go Ahead,” empowered by muscular drums and edgy rock nuances. Richardson is in top form as well, calling us to wake up to the God we so easily overlook. She is equally strong dueting with Cox on “The Love We Had Before,” fervently pleading for relief from the self-destructive behaviors that tear apart relationships.  The brawny, gutsy disc closes out on a tender note with the acoustic “Wrapped in Your Arms,” gentle strings accenting this thanksgiving for our security in the arms of God. At 35 minutes, Unbreakable comes in short but mighty, and it’s a testament to the band’s accomplishment that fans will not let its length deter from their pleasure in this mature, satisfying follow-up.