"You said I only have to wait until I die And that's in no time"
Warning! Possible (strong) personal opinions ahead!
Of course when a band is religious (and talks about it, either in interviews, their songs, or both) that's the main thing that comes up when reading or writing about them. It is often used as a pro or a con: a way to elevate them if you agree with their religious affiliation or a way to throw them in the gutter if you disagree. This is generally the case for people hearing the band for the first time, and of course I'm generalizing here. Though I will even admit to having a small tense up at the idea of listening to a band labeled as a "Christian metal" band. But I knew I would be being just as closed minded if I chose not to listen to them due to their religion. So when I heard their self-titled debut (released in 2005) back in summer of 2007, it became a non-issue almost instantly, and I was hearing them for what they are: a band. One with members that happened to be proclaimed Christians, but a band nonetheless. And then that's all the Christian metal label was, a label.
As is probably obvious, I became a fan. Besides the fact that they were making music I enjoyed generally, I'm always a sucker for female vocals and metal music! Which to me, is the defining quality of Flyleaf. The band is made up of Lacey Sturm (née Mosley) as lead vocalist, Sameer Bhattacharya on lead guitar and backing vocals, Pat Seals on bass and backing vocals, James Culpepper as drummer and percussion, and Jared Hartmann rounding out the sound on rhythm guitar. Though sadly, just as New Horizons was releaed, Lacey Sturm left the band to spend time with her family. While of course understandable, I can't say I'm not disappointed. But with three albums with her on vocals (the second being 2009's Memento Mori), at least I will have them. Both of Flyleaf's previous albums have stayed with me fairly constantly, and I expect that New Horizons will join them in the years to come.
Sturm's voice is a unique one to say the least. The emotion and conviction it carries is always present. Whether it's anger, melancholia, love, or hope, it's always there and it's always honest. I feel what she is singing about every step of the way. To hear a vocalist who has so consistently strong emotions in every song is a rarity. Though the lyrics may be more akin to a pop song in their simplicity, it doesn't stop me from truly enjoying each line. However, this isn't to say that her lyrics are vapid or meaningless, they are in fact just the opposite. Nor are they ever happy-go-lucky, there is realism and the feeling of searching for the light in the darkness here. New Horizons is no exception in this regard either. While Sturm may have been a little angry on their debut and a little morbid on Memento Mori (Memento mori generally meaning 'Remember you will die' in Latin), her lyrics still have a hopefulness and resilience in them. Here, New Horizons takes all of it to a whole new level. (As well I should also mention that backing male vocals are a bit more present here, a nice addition to change things up in a few places). Full of a desire to move forward and the human condition of mortality (the title track), but also an anger with our current consumer society ('Bury Your Heart') and music as a business ('Cage on the Ground'). Sturm shows true emotion but also her ability to look outside herself and see what's around her, not just what is going on inside her. Though she sings of love, and living life to the fullest, she also sings of loss and pain. It is a perfect dichotomy on each of Flyleaf's albums. We all know that life isn't life without pain (yeah, clichés!), and Lacey Sturm continues to put this in to honest words that everyone can relate to on some level. Are there allusions to God on occasion? Of course. But even if you aren't a believer, you can't say that she isn't a killer vocalist and poignant lyricist.
I know I didn't say too many things specifically about New Horizons, but I believe you get the idea of what this will sound like by me describing Flyleaf and their general sound. This isn't a copy of either of their albums, and in fact shows an evolution as a band from debut to Mementor Mori to here. They sound tighter here than their debut for sure. But from this review I think you get the idea that Flyleaf is Flyleaf.
So in general, New Horizons is a great Flyleaf album. I've devoured it over and over again in the week since its release. Naturally, Sturm is just as memorable as ever. Though I have yet to decide how I feel about a new Flyleaf without her. But the songs here are superb overall. Flyleaf maybe isn't my usual fare, but I still think they are an awesome band who make very listenable and honest music. And while you may not discover something new with each listen, you are guaranteed to feel something*.
*(unless you're a robot)
