Flyleaf Memento Mori Album Review

Flyleaf is an alternative-rock band from Texas. Their 2005 platinum selling debut album Flyleaf was lead by the success of their single "I'm So Sick". Flyleaf has returned with their sophomore effort, Memento Mori which translates in Latin to "be mindful of death", or "remember you will die".

While hard rock is usually the territory of lyrics about interpersonal struggles, on Memento Mori, Flyleaf focuses on spiritual struggles and devotional lyrics. On the range of mainstream artists, who happen to be Christians, Flyleaf falls closer to P.O.D. than Chevelle. Their lyrics have pretty unmistakable meanings and references. Some Christians would likely scoff if they heard how hard the band's music is at times or one of the occasional screams. But, the inner battles, spiritual warfare, and redemptive lyrics are actually perfect material for a hard rock album. And on one track in particular, the hard rock and the inspirational message clash beautifully.

Memento Mori has a variety of sounds. The pop-rock tracks like "Tiny Heart" and "Treasure" are solid with excellent vocals and great melodies. Flyleaf has far outdone any comparable tracks on their debut album. If you're looking for an all out hard rock album that reflects the lead single "Again", Momento Mori is not it. The sounds range from the lighter fare to harder, driving, alt-rock.

Memento Mori's highlight for me was "Swept Away", one of the album's harder songs. It features lead singer Lacey Mosely describing a friend who's in a dark place while she pleads to them to follow God. Musically and lyrically, the track has a strong duality as the two sides square off in a bout of spiritual warfare. It's marked with layers of eerie and distorted sound effects including what sounds like inhuman growls. The effects add mood, atmosphere, and weight to the conflict.
The dark, almost Korn-esque sounds of the foreboding verses clash, in a good way, with the soaring choruses. The uplifting choruses seem borrowed from a rock band at one of those new, hip churches or a Third Day devotional album. It was awesome to hear this mash up of styles. I have never been a fan of worship albums as they sound too much like church music and not enough like real rock music even when they are done by rock bands. But, Flyleaf meshes the two styles perfectly. Lacey even belts out one of the album's few screams as she battles for her friends soul, at the climax of the track.

Flyleaf likely has a huge hit on their hands with Memento Mori. It's packed with polished poppier rock that will get many repeats on many a teen girl's iPod along with edgier, harder rock songs that will take your local alt-rock radio station by storm. Best of all, the tracks are anchored by Lacey's incredibly diverse and pleasing vocals.