Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review




Guardian
Fire And Love



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 45 minutes, 16 seconds
Street Date: 1990


One thing that is unique about the styles of music from another decade is that the style doesn't simply stop because the next decade arrives, which is why it seems somewhat pointless to categorize music by a decade. Hard rock had progressed much, and some of the best albums arrived at the beginning of the 90s. Fire and Love was released during the last days of the so-called "Big Hair" music days. Although the music was never labeled that in those days, nor was having short hair in the front and long hair in the back called a "mullet;" we can thank VH-1 and the the south for this change. Guardian made the smart choice of recruiting Jamie Rowe as their new lead vocalist. After listening to Guardian's first album, First Watch, it's evident that Jamie is more appropriate as their source of lead vocals due to his incredible range and strength, which is needed for this type of music.

The album starts with a much more unrefined sound than the first album and the opening song, "Power of Love" almost carries a similar tone to Motley Crue's "Dr. Feelgood." "Send a Message" is another song that moves a little faster than the previous track. It focuses on people tearing down the walls of silence and not being ashamed of their faith. "Time Stands Still" is a soft rock song with more an edge, reminding the listener of the likes of Bon-Jovi. "Forever and a Day" is a great little timeless ballad amd, like many songs, it can easily be misunderstood as a love song. However, in a way it is, but it talks about the unconditional love available by God. "Fire and Love" is a straightforward hard rock experience. It is provided with a very catchy chorus that only takes one listen to leave an impression. "Time and Time Again" is another rock song that carries a little more emotion similar to rock band Cinderella. "The Rain" is one of the best songs on the disc, and quite possibly one that has aged the best as well. It begins with some rhythm and blues that eventually evolve into some serious hard rock, lyrically relating life to a storm that one can resist if they can tolerate these instances (which also make them stronger). The album closes with a very nice acoustic ballad, "Never Say Goodbye." The song talks about Jesus being there for someone at all times regardless of the situation in life, "If your eyes could see how much you mean to me/ You would take my hand and my love would set you free/ and I'm never gonna say goodbye/ I'm always standing right by your side."

The lyrics on Fire and Love are very basic, but it doesn't matter because it sounds great and it's well balanced with some incredible guitar work from Tony Palacios, fast paced drumming from Karl Ney, some great bass guitar work from David Bach, and some big improvements in the vocal department provided by Jamie Rowe's debut arrival. In the 90s, very few Christian rock bands could properly be compared to the mainstream bands (Cinderella, Ratt, Motley Crue, Bon-Jovi, Nelson & Nelson). Guardian is one of those bands that had no such problem, as they remained one of the most successful Christian rock acts throughout the decade touring with (and later working with) such greats as Steve Taylor.

- Review date: 9/3/07, written by Wayne Myatt for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Pakaderm Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 45 minutes, 16 seconds
. Street Date: 1990
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Power of Love
  2. Send A Message
  3. Time Stands Still
  4. Forever and a Day
  5. Takin on the World
  6. Fire and Love
  7. Turnaround
  8. Time and Time Again
  9. The Rain
  10. Never Say Goodbye

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Various Artists Songs We've Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven't), Vol. 14 [JFH Music]

This Friday, August 15, 2025
ALBUMS
Mark Bishop Grandkids - EP [Sonlite]
The CCC Collective Brooklyn Culture (independent)
Equippers Worship Awe [DREAM Worship]
The Final Witness Beneath The Altar [Rottweiler]
Grammatrain Flying Collector's Edition CD [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition CD [Girder]
Katy Nichole Honest Conversations [Centricity]
Relentless Pursuit Apocalypsis (independent)
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Johan Åsgärde Coming Home - Single [Gotee]
Dave Barnes Everything But Mine - Single (independent)
Jeff Deyo There is a Fire - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm All God - Single [Curb]
Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, & Elevation Worship So So Good (Live) - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
Grammatrain Flying Vinyl [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition Vinyl [Girder]
Newsboys Going Public Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 22, 2025
ALBUMS
Lecrae Reconstruction [Reach]
Lizzie Morgan Not My Will [Provident]
Josiah Queen MT. ZION [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Dust and Grace Hallelujah - Single [MTS]
Good Weather Forecast Today (feat. Elijah Thomas) - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Invitation - Single [DREAM Worship]
V1 Worship Been So Faithful - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images