AMG Review of Break of Dawn

Doug Stone
All Music Guide

Although Firefall never achieved the soaring success of the Eagles or the national impact of America, the Boulder, CO, sextet should definitely be proud of its first four records. Things began to slide, however, by the early '80s and Break of Dawn. On the sixth Firefall spinner, Jock Bartley is the only original remaining, having retained the rights to the name. One-time Flying Burrito Brother Rick Roberts once ran the show, and now merely makes a guest appearance. None of this woefully wavy West Coast wussiness is bad, but nothing sticks to the ribs either. The title track, borne from a line out of "Just Remember I Love You," features Stephen Stills and conjures some cool Colorado imagery. More top-notch support (including ace saxman David Sanborn) helps the best bits float by like clouds across the sun, but the album didn't break anywhere.