Anthony Green - Avalon
Rating
RIYL
High And DrivingDustin Kensrue
Pygmy Lush
Good Old War
Tracklist
1. She Loves Me So2. Dear Child (I’ve Been Dying To Reach You)
3. Drugdealer
4. Stonehearted Man
5. Babygirl
6. Miracle Sun
7. Califone
8. Springtime Out The Van Window
9. Slowing Down (Long Time Coming)
10. The First Day Of Work At The Microscope Store
11. Devils Song (This Feels Like A Nightmare)
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As busy as he is with creating new albums under the alias of a skunk in a band of animals, shoes for MacBeth’s studio project series, and writing for a new Circa Survive album, Anthony Green will at long last be releasing a properly recorded, acoustically tinged, full length that was five years in the making. Although Avalon (on Photo Finish Records) is Anthony Green’s debut solo effort, long time followers of Green will, in a sense, be disappointed to find that the majority of songs appearing on this debut have also appeared on previously released demos and on High & Driving’s four song EP, long before Green made his mark with Saosin. Nevertheless, the anticipation for the release of Avalon grew at an astonishing pace.
To those who haven’t heard any of the previous versions of the songs, however, Green’s “new found” approach may not be too distant for listeners as it draws a resemblance to that of Juturna’s hauntingly beautiful “Meet Me In Montauk”. This isn’t to say that Green simply takes the road once traveled while under the moniker of High & Driving, but rather incorporates a southern folk/bluegrass vibe as the occasional harmonica, banjo, and southern tinged percussion all make an appearance to aid Anthony’s guitar from appearing too stale by its lonesome self.
The album's second track and single, “Dear Child (I’ve Been Dying To Reach You)”, takes listeners on a familiar experience one would come by when listening to Green’s main project, Circa Survive. The song itself was recorded by John Feldmann in a completely separate studio from where the rest of Avalon was produced, and it certainly shows as the song allows Green’s explosive vocal capacity to run rampant. “Dear Child…” boasts an increase in pace, tone, and aggression from both Green and members of backing band Good Old War, and though one cannot argue the song's slick attraction, it’s evident that it surely sticks out awkwardly completely disrupting the calm rhythm of the album's wholesome down to earth approach.
After this drastic shift from melody to atmospheric chaos, Avalon heads to the former once again in a hurry with the southern atmospheric, daydream charm of both “Califone” and “Slowing Down (Long Time Coming)” alike. The drearily enjoyable approach of both “Miracle Sun” and “Stonehearted Man” showcase a dark and glum side in Avalon thereby creating an ironically picturesque scene, whereas the bubblegum folk-pop anthem of “Babygirl” and “Spring Time Out The Van Window”, the album's only instrumental track, bring with them an uplifting hope which reflects itself in the listener.
Though fans may enjoy this promising Anthony Green attempt at a southern folk / bluegrass / indie release, it does get quite dull at certain points which may prompt the listener to change the song early or turn the disc off after a few listens. Then again, Dallas Green’s (no relation) debut solo effort wasn’t as extravagant and enjoyable as his sophomore release, so perhaps that could be the case here. Either way, I’m sure long time fans would rather have a new Circa Survive album where vocal ranges have no bounds and are able to soar to the heights Green fans are used to.
--Daniel Alcinii
Comments
PA
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Minnesota
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My Top Songs of '09
The Appleseed Cast//as the little things go
Caspian//sycamore
Sunwrae//Chinook Winds
Dredg//down to the seller
If These Trees Could Talk//the sun is in the north
From Monument to Masses//an ounce of prevention
Straylight Run//i'm through with the past
LpShinobi's Post-Rock and Shoegazing Recommendation, via YouTube
Lpshinobi's Post-Rock Band, New Song Posted
Fort Bragg, CA
My sentiments exactly.
Completely disagree. Bring Me Your Love is better in every sense possible - production, songwriting, arrangement, etc. Sometimes was a decent record, no doubt, but Bring Me Your Love has a lot more merit, and subsequently, more staying power.
nj
It's not too bad. Three stars is about right for me. I am a big Tony Green fan, but not all his ducks are in a row on this one.
Norman OK
It's not a bad record, it's just really bland and boring.
JMU
Fishers, Indiana
QFT. Biggest beef with the review. Haha.
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Toronto, Ontario
Hm, I had to listen to this album a LOT to get a feel of it. At first, I thought the record was extremely boring and bland but after a while of listening to it constantly, I found subtleties in things that I hadn't seen before. It's still not amazing, but it's quite a nice record.
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Fishers, Indiana
Avalon has its charms, yes, but there's so much untouched potential.
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New York
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