Undertow [Import]

This the fourth record by Firefall would be last to feature the original band before the guys started to jump ship.

The big-hit success of the first three releases had sent Firefall to the top of the charts and the great concert stages of the world. But, it was all about to fall apart due to internal tensions between Rick Roberts and Larry Burnett. The very thing that made Firefall great was the ying/yang of Rick's soft rock ballads and Larry's blues based rockers that always counter-balanced their albums to great effect. This is exactly what would destroy them in the end. All the 70's excesses are here...the drugs, alcohol & women, Too much cash, way too fast. Firefall fell victim to being the right band at exactly the wrong time.

UNDERTOW came forth on the heels of Firefall's two best recordings: "Luna Sea" & "Elan" and millions of records sold. To say the pressure was on would be quite an understatement. As all of Firefall's records had begun in turmoil UNDERTOW would not be the exemption to that rule. But even with everything going against them the music found here never seems to decline from excellence. UNDERTOW is the last great record Firefall made.

It all begins with: "Love That Got Away" an up-tempo lively Rick ditty with great flute playing. (David Muse is really the unsung hero of this band...Hands down!) This opener along with: "Headed For A Fall" were both released as singles but the days of the band's success as a top-20 hit-making machine were over for our heroes, and this was the begining of the end. There are plenty of great songs to be found on: UNDERTOW from Larry's ballad: "Only Time Will Tell" that could have been a single, and it should have been.

"Stardust" is about Rick's early days in the music business in California, and watching the Byrds break-up. "If You Only Knew" is about Firefall and the fighting between band members that was pulling them down. There is some steaming lead guitar on this track from Jock and it really rocks. "Business is Business" is just Larry and his great acoustic guitar playing, this one is a gem, and I like it a bunch. This one of Larry's best songs and again the words tell the tale. Larry, is not too happy here...but, whew, this is a great tune. The last song of the original record is: "Undertow" and it's a cry for help from a drowning man (Rick) and he has never sounded like this before or since....Man, the pain is begining to show.

There are three bonus cuts found on this expanded edition of: "Undertow" with the Stevie Nicks song: "Crying In The Night" standing out as the best track. I have heard: "Lips" before on a bootleg tape and it's a throwaway blues by Larry and Mark but, it show's the band CAN go in this direction and get away with it.

I like this record... but it's not their best. That's a toss-up between "Luna Sea" & "Elan" but, it's good.
FOUR STARS!

Overall this is a really great cd. It is what you would expect from Firefall; a mixture of rock/country arrangements and excellent harmony vocals. I believe this was the last album with the original lineup. It really needs to be re-issued (again) so people can afford to buy a new copy and appreciate this great music. Features the hits Love That Got Away and Headed For A Fall, but nearly all of the songs are really good - no filler. This band was truly one of a kind.

Where I really enjoyed every single song, including the out takes. It probably spelt the end for Firefall because it was such a departure from what they did before. Still I think it hold up better than anything with the exception of their self titled release {Firefall} which is better than any greatest hits album they could have released.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 5 reviews  4.6 out of 5 stars