Flyleaf is a new band that's set to go places. They're currently working on
their debut full-length for Octone Records, the label that released Maroon
5's critically acclaimed Songs About Jane album. To get us excited for the
new music that is Flyleaf, we're treated to a four-song EP. Although the
production is a bit rough, it delivers on the raw energy of this
up-and-coming band. Rumor is that the band has been turning heads opening
for Breaking Benjamin, mostly because of lead vocalist Lacey's beautiful
singing and screaming.

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FLYLEAF EP - FLYLEAF (2004)
by Hollie Stewart

My sister is one of those girls who would seriously frighten me if she
weren't a Christian. She encapsulates everything punk, everything rock,
everything rebellious and alternative. Recently she called me into her room
to tell me about this band "where the lead singer screams" (something quite
common with the music she enjoys). But I paused when I hear a girl's voice.
"Yeah, the girl screams!" said my sister with wide eyes and a large smile.
So now I sat to listen. This isn't the neighborhood brat girl releasing a
whiny scream about a lost toy. One measure Lacey Mosley is almost cooing
the notes, light and airy, and then she explodes with a rough, guttural
roar. It's the equivalent of Eisley going hardcore. Flyleaf enters the
music scene with a solid band and a strong vocal front woman.

The strength of their four-song EP lies in the song "Breathe Today." It
opens with ambient guitars and vocals and then kicks into gear with Mosley
singing the verses in rap-rock fashion. The guitars follow a basic
power-chord pattern right in step with the drums. The melodic bridge sounds
vaguely familiar to Skillet's work on Collide, and it leads into one of
Mosley's trademark screams. The song beckons the nonbeliever to turn to
Christ, to begin breathing: "You can breathe today / So many lies swirling
around you / You're suffocating / The ending shaping you steals your breath
/ You're suffocating." It's a solid combination of vocals, music, and
lyrical composition.

"Breathe Today" has a good rock foundation, but it isn't as heavy as
"Cassie," which documents the Columbine shooting. The screamed mantra "I
will say yes" launches the song into distorted guitar and bass. According
to this track, the Christians who died for believing in God arranged their
own death: "And Cassie pulled the trigger / And Rachel pulled the trigger /
And I will pull the trigger." While the theme itself is a bit dated, it's a
good reminder of the chaos that took place in American suburbia—a chaos that
could occur again. It causes listeners to consider how they would react in
such a situation.

"Red Sam" takes the melodic strength of "Breathe Today," the heaviness of
"Cassie," and molds them together into a solid initial track. Mosley sings,
"Here I stand, empty hands / Wishing my wrists were bleeding / To stop the
pain from the beatings and / There You stood, holding me / Waiting for me to
notice you / But who are You / You are the truth / I'm dreaming these lies /
You are the truth / Saving my life." It's a realization of God's
omnipresence in the midst of every moment of life. In a climatic point of
surrender, Mosley screams, "and I worship You." God is praised in the midst
of the pain. "Red Sam" delivers hope through an appropriate medium of
thrashing music.

If this EP holds any indication to the future of Flyleaf, they're due for
unparalleled success. While the music is similar to many of the bands my
sister listens to, the female vocals plant this band within their own unique
mold. I can sense areas that need musical and lyrical growth, but there is
an undeniable potential within these young musicians. I, along with my
hardcore sister, look forward to their full-length debut with much
anticipation.

Read more about Flyleaf at their official site:
http://www.flyleafmusic.com/


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ALTITUDE - YELLOW SECOND
You know the band is trying to make it in the Christian pop/punk market when
the first review quote on the press materials is from Matt Thiessen of
Relient K. While their debut does very little to distinguish them from the
rest of the bands in the same market, it seems to be a solid debut and shows
promise for their future.

JOHN DAVIS - JOHN DAVIS
Yet another incarnation of a mainstream rocker crossing over to the
Christian market, this one gave me a good first impression so it gets PICK
OF THE WEEK. Davis is most known for leading the pop/rock band Superdrag.
With his self-titled solo release, Davis delivers a Christian disc like no
other. Top-notch keyboard-infused rock meets intelligent songwriting for a
great new disc that is receiving a lot of attention.

THE NEED TO FEEL ALIVE - FOREVER CHANGED
Another new rock band, this one draws parallels to its more establish
emo-rock bands of today. Produced by James Paul Wisner, who also produced
Underoath, Further Seems Forever and Dashboard Confessional, their sound is
similar to those bands as well as labelmate Mourning September.

THIS GENERATION - SONICFLOOd
Sonicflood was one of the original modern worship bands. But since then the
band has undergone a complete new lineup. Still, the band still has the
ability to make worship music rock with guitars and other electronic sounds.
This time around, we find the band creating mostly original worship songs
aimed to speak to the youth of today's churches.


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