Unbreakable

iTunes Review

The use of Fireflight’s “Unbreakable” to promote TV’s Bionic Woman advanced the band into the mainstream — and also secured its image as battle-tested soldiers fighting for inner empowerment. This Christian rock quintet keeps up its aggressive stance throughout most of Unbreakable (2008), its sophomore album. Like the comparable Superchick, Fireflight is fronted by a dynamic female singer (Dawn Richardson) and supported by nu-metal guitar firepower (provided by Justin Cox and Glenn Drennan). Dawn’s defiant wails transform youthful angst into spirit-filled, life-affirming anthems. Tracks like “You Gave Me a Promise” and “Stand Up” frame the struggle between doubt and belief in conflicted but ultimately positive language. The band deals with more earth-bound issues as well, including toxic relationships (“So Help Me God”). Fireflight makes its intentions clear in string-draped ballads like “Brand New Day” and “Wrapped in Your Arms.” And of course, the key track is the title number, a truly bracing blast of heroic pop/rock.