Flyleaf: Memento Mori

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Flyleaf 

Written By:

Aidan Williamson

05th November 2009
At 17:57 GMT

21 comment(s)

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It's difficult to describe Flyleaf without using the words "Evanescence" or "Paramore". Essentially because they sound like the personality of Evanescence was infused into Paramore and told to play.

As with most bands who can sell a million records despite the fact that no one's ever heard of them, they happen to be a Christian band, although like most Christian bands seeking to appeal to the mass market, they downplay that fact with the genius logic of: "If you're a Christian, it affects everything in your life. So if you're a plumber, does that make you a Christian plumber?" It works in theory, but when we tried it... "just because I'm a paedophile and a kindergarten teacher doesn't mean that..." We were somewhat puzzled as to how the pitchforks appeared so quickly, and at how flammable tweed is, but the central message was clear: their logic was flawed.

Since the two traits are indivisible, we are treated to such lyrical treats as "Beautiful bride / Body of Christ... We're not gonna fall and forget / How far You went to pick us up/ If one part's hurt the whole body's sick/ If one part mourns we all mourn with Him / Rejoice, and we'll sing with You / Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah" (Beautiful Bride) and "Sing to me / about the end of the world / end of these hammers and needles for you." (Arise) If subtext is beyond you, hammers and needles refer to drugs and gavels (hammers used in courtrooms), because front-woman Lacey Mosley was apparently saved by her faith.

At least we hope the album's about faith, otherwise this lyric from "Again" could be horribly misinterpreted: "Here you are down on your knees again / Trying to find air to breathe again / And only surrender will help you now / The flood gates are breaking, they're pouring out"

Enough of the anti-religious review cliché though, we mostly did all of that to work the kiddy-fiddling joke in. There are a lot of reasons for which Flyleaf should be proud. While Mosley isn't one of the better vocalists in the genre (her voice lacks the filling timbre of say Cristina Scabbia) she can certainly inject aggression with the best of them. "In the Dark" showcases a remarkable performance, one on the edge, letting the emotions gush out around the syllables, forcing her voice to tremble as she erupts into frenzied screams.

"Swept Away" tries for a similar level of force but somehow loses the melody, lost amongst an overcooked pot of 80s synths, tremolo guitars and protruding bass-lines. All made even more cacophonous by around two other guitar riffs also lurking beneath the surface. It's a testimony to the production that all can be crisply heard, yet it's a detriment to the song than so many disparate elements which fail to coalesce can be heard clearly.

While the themes in the songs are heavily religious, there's something to be said for the band's claims that even secularists will find something to enjoy. Covering ground from songs which range from Kelly Clarkson could-have-beens (compare "Set Apart This Dream" and "Breakaway") to the unrestrained screams and shrieks of "In the Dark" is always a good idea.

The band themselves are somewhat anonymous, gleaning all of their riffs from 'Rock/Metal 101' and 'power chords for dummies'. There are attempts to throw in additional instruments to vary the taste, the harp rears its head, promptly sounds laughable, then disappears just as quickly.

Flyleaf fit comfortably into the sadly un-unique category of having both nothing to expressly recommend it, nor anything to lambaste it with. It's just there, doing its thing in a wholly unremarkable way.

Rating:  5 / 10

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User Comments

-10

Comment By:

Joe

commented 5 months ago

I like the post. Check out my band if you get a second.

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10

Comment By:

Aj

commented 5 months ago

Looks like this person knows nothing about Flyleaf and good music. From Laceys voice to the playing the band has grown get this album its worth the money

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26

Comment By:

WHAT!?

commented 5 months ago

this person is a fool

flyleaf are nothing like evanescence/paramore

they have their own style

and make amazing music

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3

Comment By:

MASTERMAXX713

commented 5 months ago

Good Post, Can Not Wait For The Record, Its Going To Be Awesome

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9

Comment By:

Shane

commented 5 months ago

I can't wait for this album to come out. I think it has the best name ever. What an awesome group.

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11

Comment By:

Shane Ritschard

commented 5 months ago

Can't wait for the CD!!! Check out their website.

http://www.flyleafmusic.com/

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13

Comment By:

Drew

commented 5 months ago

Wow, the person who wrote this article is seriously ignorant. I wonder if the rating would be higher if Flyleaf wasn't so open about their faith; it seemed like more than half the article was spent ridiculing them for being Christians. Very unprofessional.

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12

Comment By:

TJ Wessel

commented 5 months ago

3 more days till the new record! Guess who's excited..................... me! haha!

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14

Comment By:

Joshua

commented 5 months ago

So ignorant. This album is going to be amazing!!

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3

Comment By:

Jarrod

commented 5 months ago

listen to good music, dude. flyleaf is one of the best bands out there. and i wanted to throw up when you made your joke about the lyrics to "Again." grow up and be serious about your reviews, you jackass.

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22

Comment By:

Christa

commented 5 months ago

Totally disagree with this review. Flyleaf is an amazing band. amd Lacey is one of the best vocalists I have ever heard. But what really pushed them to the top of my play list is the passion and feeling in all of their songs. Very awesome! Don't listen to this guy... hear it for yourself before you jump to conclusions.

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15

Comment By:

LewisSO

commented 5 months ago

I agree him with the Paramore description but not the Evanescence part. Flyleaf's new album is absolutely fantastic. I personally think it's different from their debut but it's still awesome and they're an awesome band.

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16

Comment By:

hm,

commented 5 months ago

What moron without a life wrote this review? Creepy loser with his misinterpretations

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11

Comment By:

Cheri

commented 5 months ago

Flyleaf is doing what many bands aren't. They are getting the word of God out ie: "under the radar", if you will. Although I don't like the fact that they are 'told' to or feel they have to be under the radar. They are brilliant, talented, and masterminds at being lyricists and musicians! Lacey is contralto if you don't already know, and her voice is one of the most appealing voices I have heard. She is closer to the likes of Amy Lee in my opinion, but the difference here is that she believes in God and has the passion to change the world. They are not really close to Paramore in my opinion, but they have their own unique sound...and I love the praise and worship type songs of "Oh how he loves us" to the armageddon references in Momento Mori!

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11

Comment By:

RJ

commented 5 months ago

Blurgh, Flyleaf's eponymous album was brilliant but this one didn't really appeal to me, it's not great but it's not awful :S

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11

Comment By:

jeremy jones

commented 4 months ago

the guy who wrote this review needs to stop being a tool shed and just stick to reviewing music. not in one sentence does he objectively describe the music or do anything besides puke out vomit from his own perversion. maybe learn to love music then realize that your liberalism has no place here then maybe you might be able to review music without showing your I Q to be three points below a carrot.

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16

Comment By:

Tabias

commented 4 months ago

I guess the first 3 paragraphs say more about the reviewer than the CD. that hes a bigot to anything that is trying to put positive music out there for young people to listen to amongst all the crap thats out there these day.God forbid if someone uses Jesus in a positive light in a song...Personal i love the album.Its a more mature sound..

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8

Comment By:

Nadine

commented 4 months ago

good post but...

fuck you man don't ever compare them to the paramore bitch!!! I HATE PARAMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK

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-2

Comment By:

SJ

commented 3 months ago

I personally prefer the first album (I don't think it had a single bad song on it), but that doesn't mean this one's altogether bad. At least 8 good songs came out of it. Unfortunately, since this one's a little more religiously in-your-face than the last, I fear that many a secularist will be put off.

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-2

Comment By:

Joshua

commented 3 months ago

oh and suprise suprise the new album is brimming with a new sense of maturity; beyond that of the 'bubbly' Paramore ... this guy should be banned from reviewing all together

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2

Comment By:

Karla

commented 2 months ago

Got the record ... I do give it a 5.

It doesn't live up to its hype ...

there are 2 great song, but it's lacking in intensity compared to their previousl album.

All in all good, but not great!

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