Memento Mori

Flyleaf

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: November 10, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M / Octone
• ASIN: B002NPUCJY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #189 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Beautiful Bride

2. Again

3. Chasm

4. Missing

5. This Close

6. The Kind

7. In The Dark

8. Set Apart This Dream

9. Swept Away

10. Tiny Heart

11. Melting (interlude)

12. Treasure

13. Circle

14. Arise

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Memento Mori, the highly anticipated follow up to Flyleaf's platinum selling, self-titled debut album. Flyleaf bleed, grow, love and live on MEMENTO MORI. The Texas quintet's latest offering is a collection of poignant, passionate and pensive hard rock songs. From the kinetic first single, "Again," to the touching album closer, "Arise," guitarists Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartman trade orchestral riffs that seesaw from soaring to searing. Drummer James Culpepper smoothly propels every groove forward, while Pat Seals' bass anchors unforgettable hooks. Gliding across this majestic melodic backdrop, Lacey's vocals build into beauty from pain. Her voice reaches transcendent heights on songs like "Set Apart This Dream" and "Missing." Flyleaf's flame keeps rising.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "There's some strength left in us yet" (3.5 stars), November 10, 2009

By	Mr. Censored (Maine) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Four years after the release of their highly successful self-titled album, the most prominent Christian rock band from Texas -- Flyleaf -- have reunited with producer Howard Benson to dish out their long-awaited sophomore effort, "Memento Mori." While the first album had more of a garage band edge to it, the follow-up finds the band shedding away some of their punkier second-rate Nirvana influences in favor for a much more polished and radio-ready sound. This should come as no surprise though, as Flyleaf are one of those rare rock bands nowadays who can sell a record and since their debut was a bit raw and immature.

Touring heavily with the likes of Korn and Disturbed has done little to soften the band's strong Christian themes. In fact, on "Memento Mori," such moments are much clearer than ever. For some this could be a turn-off, but for the (ahem) faithful followers, it may be a plus. Put plain and simple, Lacey loves Jesus and wants to make sure you know all about it. Putting that aside, though, the album is certainly a notch above the first as far as musicianship goes. While the band has yet to establish a distinctive style, they back up Lacey's broad themes and unique voice well, and Benson's improved production only serves to give the whole affair more bombast and sonic improvements. Put simply, this is the same Flyleaf you know already, just marginally improved and perfected.

If "Memento Mori" has one fatal flaw, though, it's that the songs tend to blend into one another without a single moment sticking out. While there isn't necessarily a bad song to be found, it can be an overall taxing album to listen to and certainly begs the question of whether or not it will continue Flyleaf's string of success. At the end of the day, their second effort improves on almost all fronts, leaving memorable song-writing on the back-burner. Chalk it up to a burnt-out producer (seriously, what album HASN'T Howard Benson produced this year?) and a slightly immature band. Hopefully album number three irons out some of the wrinkles, but in the meantime, this will suffice.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!!!, November 11, 2009

By	Michael Davis - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was eagerly awaiting the release of this record so I could buy it because I loved Flyleaf's first album. The version of the album I have actually has 22 songs because I bought it initially off Itunes to get the two itunes exclusive tracks. I then came back on here and found out there were five more Amazon exclusive tracks. There is not a bad song here. Lacey's voice never ceases to amaze me. Also, the lyrics on this record are awesome. I like the musical style too. I know that the overtly Christian lyrics my be a bit of a turn off to some of the band's non-Christian fans, they are the opposite for me. I love my savior Jesus Christ, and what he has done for me, and I love how Flyleaf expresses that they feel the same way. Give this record a try. You won't be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Where's the revival?, November 16, 2009

By	FairFury "FairFury CA" (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I loved the first Flyleaf album. It was a balanced mixture of rock with angst, questioning, and religious overtones. The Christian influence was there but subtle, serving as a background for the music to unfold. I respect people's faith and the influence it has on their work. But I've seen the interviews where Lacey is touting they're a rock band, not a Christian rock band. So not true. This is rock music with in-your-face Jesus lyrics. "Beautiful Bride, Body of Christ" ends with the Hallelujah chorus. You can't get more openly Christian rock band than a lead track like that. I'm Christian. I understand faith. I just appreciate honesty. This is a Christian rock band, no longer just with hints of influence, but straight up revival music. I would have liked to have known before I bought the album. Shame on me for believing the interviews.