Fireflight The Healing Of Harms Flicker Records Rock 07-25-2006

SCORE 80%

It's easy to wallow in our misery when things don't go as we planned or hoped. We often find ourselves in situations that are filled with pain and suffering, whether it's emotional or physical. In this condition, in the middle of these events, it's difficult to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel - it's difficult to see the benefit of these hardships. However, the Bible tells us to not only accept these setbacks, but to rejoice in them. And we're given the story of Job to teach us exactly how that fleshes out in real life.

Debuting on Flicker Records, the latest in female-fronted rock outfits, Fireflight offers a reminder that we can only rejoice in these difficult times when we realize that the end result is truly a blessing. The Healing of Harms points out that because of God's power and sovereignty, trials can shape us into the mature believers that we need to become. Leading off with the rocky track "Serenity," the tone is set as our dependence on God is established and brought to our attention. Elsewhere on the album, we see a message of God as the focus of our lives ("Star of the Show", "It's You"), the common search for true love ("Something New", "More Than a Love Song"), abusing the Gospel message ("Liar") and the need to act on what we've been taught ("Action").

Musically, Fireflight toys with the hard rock sound, but generally ends up in a poppy rock realm with a slight hint of an edge found in some strong guitar riffs and the occasional bit of screaming. Fronted by Dawn Richardson, the band may draw comparisons to the popular group, Flyleaf, but they fall quite short of that intensity, with a softer sound that's more akin to the likes of Inhabited or Kainos. The band co-wrote on each of the eleven tracks, working with the likes of Ian Eskelin, Ben Glover, and Skidd Mills to round out the style of the album. Some of the standouts include the poppy track, "It's You," the catchy "You Decide" and the harder "Waiting."

Certainly there's room in the industry for Fireflight and many listeners will cling onto the group as a safe but aggressive "chick rock" band. The Healing of Harms proves to be an enjoyable listen, but leaves one wishing it were a bit more intense. Fans of Inhabited will be right at home with this release though as will many fans of rock music in general. All in all, not a bad debut for the group.