The Bottom Line
It can take a while for an aspiring band's music to finally kick in with a general pop audience, and alt-metal group Flyleaf nicely illustrate the point. Their debut album appeared in October 2005. It is the collection's 3rd single that is finally climbing the pop charts admirably filling the current rock niche on top 40 radio. Fans of the band Daughtry will recognize producer Howard Benson's palpable influence here.
Pros
- Emotional intensity of the lyrics
- Lacey Mosley's weaving, writhing vocals
Cons
- Pedestrian instrumental arrangement
Description
- Written by Sameer Bhattacharya, James Culpepper, Jared Hartmann, Lacey Mosley, and Pat Seals
- Produced by Howard Benson
- Released June 2007 by Octone Records
Guide Review - Flyleaf - "All Around Me"
The intense, sometimes wailing vocals of Lacey Mosley are easily the most memorable element from first hearing Texas alt-metal band Flyleaf. She could sing the phone book, and you may think she had just recited a tale of pain, misery, and, maybe, redemption. Fortunately, on the band's breakthrough hit "All Around Me," the lyrics match the passion of her vocals word for word.
As with the recent success of Buckcherry, fans of "All Around Me" that look deeper into the music of Flyleaf are likely to find music that is harder and more raw than the hit. However, this hit single is no soft power ballad. It will fit nicely in the rock niche of top 40 radio.
Instrumentally, the chiming guitars and chugging bass line are competent but nothing dramatically interesting. Fans of Daughtry will certainly recognize the touch of producer Howard Benson. However, the vocals here are strong enough that listeners are likely to forgive any lack in originality elsewhere. As they consolidate their current pop success, Flyleaf are a band to watch while they take their next steps forward.
