Firefall - Undertow (1980)

The mellow, easy country-rock sounds of Firefall, coupled with the group's penchant for pop melodies and high-pitched harmonies, produced a series of successful LPs in the late '70s and a series of chart singles, including the Top Ten hit "You Are the Woman." The group was formed by former Flying Burrito Brother Rick Roberts, who handled vocals, guitar, and most of the songwriting duties; he was joined by fellow ex-Burrito and Byrd Michael Clarke on drums, ex-Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne bassist Mark Andes, guitarist/vocalist Jock Bartley, guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Larry Burnett, and keyboardist/woodwind player David Muse, who joined in 1977. The group recorded its self-titled debut in 1976; it and its follow-up, Luna Sea, both went gold, and their third album, Elan, went platinum. However, the group's commercial fortunes began to decline, and even though Muse experimented with adding different instruments to the overall sound, Firefall's relaxed, toned-down approach simply wore out its welcome as pop trends moved elsewhere. Jock Bartley reformed the group in 1994 for the album Messenger.

Undertow is the 4th Record by Firefall and would be last to feature the Original Band before the guys started to Jump Ship. The success of the first three releases had sent Firefall to the Top of the Charts and Stages of the World. But it was 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 Records to great effect, and that is what would destroy them in the end. All the 70's excesses are here, drugs, alcohol, women, too much cash too Fast. Firefall fell victim to being the Right Band at exactly the Wrong Time. UNDERTOW came forth on the heels of Firefalls two best Records: "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 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 Top-20 success were over for our heroes, and this was the begining of the end. There are plenty of great songs 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 breakup. "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 rocks. "Business is Business" is just Larry and his acoustic guitar, and I like this one plenty, again the words tell the tale, Larry is not to 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 beginning to show.
There are three bonus cuts on "Undertow" with the Stevie Nicks song "Crying In The Night" standing out as the best track. "Lips" was before on a Bootleg Tape and it's a throwaway blues by Larry and Mark.

I like this album… maybe not their best, that's a toss-up between "Luna Sea" & "Elan" but nevertheless, it's very good…

Please note that this is an old but good rip (without log), made with an old version of EAC, and coming from my archives on external hard disc.

Personnel:

Rick Roberts - Vocals, Guitar
Jock Bartley - Vocals - Guitar
Larry Burnett - Vocals, Guitar
David Muse - Keyboards
Mark Andes - Bass
Michael Clarke – Drums

Tracklist:

01. Love That Got Away
02. Headed for a Fall
03. Only Time Will Tell
04. Laugh or Cry
05. Stardust
06. If You Only Knew
07. Some Things Never Change
08. Business Is Business
09. Leave It Alone
10. Undertow
11. Just What You Need*
12. Crying in the Night*
13. Lips!*

* Bonus Tracks

Original Recordings Produced By Ron & Howard Albert For Albert Productions, Inc.

Sound Quality: 8