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

JFH Music Review


Flyleaf, Remember To Live EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Flyleaf
Remember To Live EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 7 tracks: 23 minutes, 58 seconds
Street Date: December 7, 2010


Flyleaf's sophomore album, Memento Mori, was their first album in four years. That makes it strange that a year later the band has already released another project, the Remember To Live EP. It may seem a little strange, perhaps, but no less sweet. According to the band, Remember To Live (translated "memento vivere") is a seven-song collection comprised of new songs, and older tracks that fans have urged the group to release.

If any Flyleaf fans are expecting the EP to be a rocking project, let me begin by saying the EP is surprisingly soft. The "Violent Love" version of "Justice & Mercy" lacks all of the guitars and screaming vocals of the original (previously released on their 2007 Much Like Falling EP), but beautifully highlights Lacey Mosley's terrific vocals. The moody beginning of "Okay" indicates an aggressive rock breakout, but the short song also stays very mellow. The most ambitious track on the EP is "Amy Says," which features a light rock tune with a slight alternative edge. Lacey's moving voice raises the emotion level of the acoustic "Dear My Closest Friend" to soaring heights. Although "Light In Your Eyes" starts with a simple acoustic guitar, the fine, up-tempo bridge is what ultimately makes the song an easy highlight. The atmospheric "Believe In Dreams" also shines because of the combination of Mosley's vocals, and the effortlessly, seamless melody. The only real low spot on the EP is the remix of "Arise." The Ben Moody Mix takes an energetic rock song, and fails to add anything more than a slightly better beat to the original.

It's surprising and extremely commendable that a band whose sophomore project debuted at number eight on the Billboard Top 200 would not shy away from using undeniable references to God routinely. The Remember To Live EP follows in step with its predecessors on several occasions. The chorus on "Okay" states "It's too important for us to forget/We'll unify our thoughts/God will hear and save/God will hear and save us" while also admitting that just being 'okay' isn't enough. In the midst of difficulty, the band sings, "When all we wanted was love/We got cut up and burned/But there's a light in your eyes/And it tells me/That God is on our side" in the hopeful "Light In Your Eyes. " The optimism in "Believe In Dreams" and the regret in "Dear My Closest Friend" are other themes that are more than worth thinking about.

Even though I wasn't thrilled with the entirety of Memento Mori, it's difficult to find fault with the Remember To Live EP. Yes, fans of Flyleaf's screaming rock music will be disappointed that the EP didn't contain more upbeat songs or high energy vocals. However, those fans who decide to stick with the EP with be rewarded with Lacey's fine voice driving the soft, artistic melodies, and thoughtful, spiritually minded lyrics. This EP is a near perfect release to fill the gap between projects.

- Review date: 12/13/10, written by Nathaniel Schexnayder of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



Flyleaf returns thirteen months after their last full-length album, Memento Mori, with an EP showing off their softer side. The Remember to Live EP features a heavy dose of acoustic guitar work in the nearly 24 minute release. Fans that got the iTunes Exclusive Much Like Falling EP will recognize the opening track, "Justice and Mercy." Lacey and the band take a more mellow approach with the "Violent Love Version," making it an acoustic guitar ballad that really compliments the song. The next five tracks are rare and previously unreleased songs from the past; some of which even date back to the days when the band went by the name Passerby. Songs like "Okay" capture the essence of Flyleaf while remaining acoustic, yet "Amy Says" is more of a softer alternative rock song. In fact, "Amy Says" and the Ben Moody (of Evanescence fame… or infamy) remixed "Arise" are the only two tracks that feature electric guitars. This EP will prove that Flyleaf, more directly Lacey Sturm, is not a one trick pony. The band pulls off these slower acoustic driven tracks with ease. "Dear My Closest Friend" will make you fall in love with the band all over again as it is probably the most beautiful song the group has recorded. The biggest downfall to the EP itself is that it is an EP. It would have been great to see them put together another four or five tracks for a rarities/B-Sides album. Do not pass this EP up as filler; you are going to want to hear this one over and over again. - Michael Weaver

 

. Record Label: Octone Records / A&M / Universal
. Album length: 7 tracks: 23 minutes, 58 seconds
. Street Date: December 7, 2010
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Justice & Mercy (Violent Love Version) (2:41)
  2. Okay (2:24)
  3. Amy Says (3:40)
  4. Dear My Closest Friend (2:31)
  5. Light In Your Eyes (3:55)
  6. Believe In Dreams (4:28)
  7. Arise (Ben Moody Mix) (4:22)

 

 

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 8, 2025
SINGLES
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)

This Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
Citizens m us eum [Anotherland Records]
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire: Songs From The Smoke [Provident]
Grace Graber Everything You Ever Wanted - EP [Wings]
Faith Worship Arts Fill This House (Deluxe) [DREAM]
Jesus Culture Send The Fire: Live From London [Capitol CMG]
The Kingdom Heirs Fortieth Anniversary [Sonlite]
Tasha Layton Life in Me [BEC]
Myles Maestro Dead End Road - EP [Syntax]
Make Sure Starry May Morning (independent)
Wintley Phipps A Symphonic Tribute to the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither [Gaither]
SNT. VINCENT Final Greetings [Syntax]
Razzie Digital Psalms - EP [Syntax]
Matthew West Come Home For Christmas [Provident/Story House]
Josh Wright LEAD (Deluxe) (independent)

SINGLES
Holly Brand One Thing He Wouldn't Do - Single [Integrity]
Chosen Road Daddy Was a Navy Man - Single [Thoroughbred]
Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Jeff Knox Deja Vu - Single [Syntax]
gio. DANCE LIKE DAVID (feat. Swaizy) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Benjamin William Hastings At the heart of it (from Worship Together) - Single [Capitol CMG]
JSP No More (feat. Kevin Young) - Single (independent)
Kelo Memory Lane - Single [Syntax]
MATTHEWS Broken Forever - Single [Curb]
Patrick Mayberry + Katie Torwalt God Is Faithful - Single [Provident]
MAYIA Pass Me Not - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Like You - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Decipher - Single [Syntax]
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Lee Vasi A Pesar De Todo - Single [Capitol CMG]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]
Jovan Whyte Never Give Up (feat. Dweeno) - Single (independent)

Next Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images