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I Am The Avalanche
I Am The Avalanche
Reviewed by: Tom Beck [Mon, September 26, 2005 @ 7:27:08 AM]
So the average Drive Thru Records CD will be reviewed by hundreds of online e-zines, paper zines, radio shows, and published magazines – just about anywhere, and I’m making a guess right now that close to 95% of them will mention THAT band. I mean THAT band meant so much to me growing up, and they will never be forgotten – however it’s time we moved on and take I am the avalanche for what they are. The debut album (the second release after a split single with The Early November) is a fairly solid effort, which doesn’t tackle too many new paths, and does just about enough to keep you coming back.
Having played their first few shows in the UK in 2004, the band have progressed impressively from the stop and start outfit they originally were and tracks such as “I took a beating” have changed face since the early internet demos surfaced. “Dead and gone” however is still quite stop start, it chugs away with a fairly middle paced tempo, and non too catchy chorus, however it does have that edge in the vocals that we’ve been lacking and a familiar voice that kids can sing along to again. Have you ever had one of those nights when you have make 20 phone calls just to stay alive? I personally haven’t, and therefore do find it hard to relate to some of the issues raised in the songs, but that isn’t really the point of songs like “Emergency” as it’s catchy and powerful. I do feel it could be raised to a slightly higher tempo in the choruses, as the pace makes the vocals drawn out, but it’s essentially still a great track. The previously mentioned “I took a beating” isn’t as light as I remember the demo being, it’s in essence the same track just mastered to fit in with the rest of the album though. However the pace has picked up and makes it one of the stronger points on the album. “New disaster” probably boasts the best chorus on the record, however the song was one of the original internet demos released over a year ago and therefore many people will have heard it before. That shouldn’t take away from it being a catchy effort, with slight improvements in style.
I think for most fans the interesting factor in this album comes in the form of those songs we haven’t previously heard (except those who have been to the live shows of course). They range from the dub sounding intro to “Murderous” to a more recognised sound of punching tracks such as “Wasted” – which boasts a catchy opening riff. “Green eyes” starts slowly before building up nicely however it lulls in several places which makes it hard to get excited about. The lyrics are mostly downbeat, such as “you left me hanging like a noose” screamed out during “My second restraining order” – and to be fair we didn’t expect anything less did we from front man Vinnie. “Always” is a disappointing track I feel though as it just doesn’t grab enough hooks along the way. The tail end of the album is a mixed affair as well, with melodic sections mixed with the thunderous style we have already grown accustomed to. “This is dungeon music” is an excellent track, that is backed up nicely by fan favourites such as “symphony” and “Emergency” before the album slows right down again in “Clean Up”.
So comparisons are always going to be drawn to former bands, and that would make a sensible selling point for this release. Some tracks are fast paced and catchy as hell, however the weakness lies in the slow speed of some of the vocals for me. There are several excellent tracks on this album, but they are matched by some tracks that just don’t hold any excitement in them. In time I might grow to love the slower tracks and that would transform this album into something I cherished just as much as a certain former band.
Rating: 6.5/10
For Fans Of: The Movielife (I couldn't get away with it!), Thursday, Glassjaw, Brand New, The Lawrence Arms etc.
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