Pulse 101.7 FM

by: Vance Lambert (aka. DJ Vance)

It’s been 2.5 years since radio station playlists around the country were “Never Going Back To OK.” The Afters, Sanctus Real, and ColdPlay are what I would like to call “Anthem Masters.” They have a knack for making most of their album arena-friendly right from your car stereo. (minus the nose-bleed section and sweaty guy next to you who somehow sings the chorus louder than the 10,000 Watt PA system)  Light Up The Sky has a few shooting stars within it’s beautifully packaged 10 track album.  I don’t have to tell you that the title track is everything you should expect from The Afters – plus a little something more.  By the first chorus, the bad day you’re having has surely been completely obliterated.  I also smell a hint of Brandon Heath in that song too. (and I don’t mean the big guy next to you who still needs a Tic-Tac)  

The Afters have stayed true to their sound for the most part, which you die-hard fans will be thankful for.  But I must forewarn you that their producer must have gotten ahold of GarageBand and RedBull, then had a little extra fun with a few songs. I hear noticeably more programming, synthesizer, and vocoder effects happening on this record!  Take a sneak peek on iTunes at Start Over & Say It Now, and you’ll hear what I mean.  I can appreciate their effort to break up any possible album-monotony though.  Plus, We Won’t Give Up is something straight from 1981!  Rock n’ Roll REO Speedwagon style.  (Children, don’t even bother figuring out who I’m talking about, just get back to your texting… LOL dat V is so funny 😉  

Light Up The Sky is a well-crafted & inspiring album from start to finish, with a handful of memorable tunes that will bounce around your atmosphere for quite some time.  But, I wish I may… I wish I might… that more than the title track would blow me away. (something like 2012 perhaps?)

Rating: B+

by: Vance Lambert (aka. DJ Vance)

The chick-rocketh has been broughteth. If you dug the Unbreakable album, consider For Those Who Wait the 10 tracks they couldn’t afford to feature on the last.  If this album were a movie, it would be titled Unbreakable 2.  It’s the soda to go with your pop-corn, the peas to your carrots, the Johnny Depp to your wonderland, … ok I’ll stop. (I think we all get it)  To start… I would buy this album for the artwork alone. A+ to the CD designer.  The first 3 tracks really get me motivated for the listening experience!  Desperate is the strongest & most intense track on the record. They even fell back on the good ole’ Evanescence/12 Stones formula throwing the chorus between girl & guy. (which for some reason I never get bored of!)  The hype unfortunately fades away from then on for me.  Don’t think I’m one of those “only dudes can rock” guys either…  I have a deep love(and dare I say actual crushes) on Flyleaf, Paramore, Evanescence, Don’t Wake Aislin, and others.  I just like to be amazed I guess.

Track 3 – Fire In My Eyes. gives me warm-fuzzies remembering the days when the band Pillar was on top of the world. (Rob, you’re sounding a little more feminine with age there, buddy 😉 Good tune though, seriously.

Track 6 – Name.  Don’t listen to this track around your “cool friends,” because you ARE going to cry… and that’s just no good.  So you may want to listen to that tune in the privacy of your home with a couple Kleenex.

Track 10 – Recovery Begins. Is a hauntingly beautiful song, and has my stamp of “Most Healing Song” on the record.

I feel like I’ve torn this album apart a little.  To end on a high note: If you loved the Unbreakable album, what are you still doing reading my ridiculous review?!  Go stinkin’ buy it right now and get your girl-rock on!  If  you were wanting more from the last record and didn’t get it… maybe Fireflight will have some innovations on a future album for those who wait.

Rating: B