Mark Firehammer

Life Coaching • Relationship Technologies • Singer/Songwriter

"Mark Firehammer & The Forge" CD:
Tallahassee, Magazine 9/97 by Allie Mackay 

Firehammer & The Forge Mark Firehammer Where have I been? Although Mark Firehammer has been performing locally for quite a while, I have never heard him in action. Judging by is debut CD, Firehammer & The Forge, That's a mistake I'll have to correct soon. Firing out the first song "Tell Me Tell Me", he exposes the listener to driving electric guitar and a strong rock 'n' roll rhythm. Though not his strongest vocally, this song, as well as all the others has something to say. With such strong music I wanted to know the words so I could sing along. On the second song Firehammer does a 180. "Girl" begins with a cello and is a quiet acoustic ballad focusing on melody and lyrics. The ballads are clearly where Firehammer shines. He has a clear folk sounding voice that is naturally pleasing to the ear. Songs like "Soul Of An Ancient", "Walk The Heavens", and "Somewhere In Time" all share in the artists acoustic style, but each is very different in melody and overall concept. Two of the best songs on this CD are "First Impressions" and "I'll Play For You". The first has an upbeat tempo with horns throughout, a tenor sax and trumpet fills that really get the song and your feet going. Firehammer turns in a strong vocal performance, telling how people are not always what they first appear to be. "I'll Play For You" really struck a chord with me. (No pun intended!) It talks of what music can be to another human being. "Strand Tough" is another song with a good message. Speaking out against violence that plagues us, Firehammer delivers his message with a hard beat accompanied by grunts as background vocals on the chorus. Overall this is a very mellow CD mainly because of its plentiful ballads. What impresses me most about Firehammer is his song writing. He wrote every song, and each had something meaningful to say, not to mention a creative melody to go along with it. The album is also is well produced. Firehammer doesn't have a fancy voice, and keeping the instrumentation acoustic oriented lets his natural talent come through. A musician writing and singing from the soul- That is what Firehammer & The Forge is all about.