I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United
Rating
RIYL
The MovielifeHot Rod Circuit
Bayside
Crime In Stereo
Release Date
10/11/2011
Label
I-SurrenderTracklist
1-Holy Fuck2-Brooklyn Dodgers
3-Amsterdam
4-I'll Be Back Around
5-Is This Really Happening?
6-This One's On Me
7-Dead Friends
8-You've Got Spiders
9-The Gravedigger's Argument
10-Casey's Song
11-The Place You Love Is Gone
12-Gratitude
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There’s no denying Vinnie Caruana has been one of the most influential and recognizable voices in the pop punk / hardcore scene in the last decade. Where The Movielife left off, Vinnie’s next endeavor, I Am The Avalanche, picked right up. With only one full length release and two splits, their new release has become one of the most anticipated releases in the last five years… and for good reason. Avalanche United is everything a punk rock album should be. It’s catchy, it’s got just the right amount of melody, it’s loaded with heartfelt lyrics that are perfectly positive, and it’s full of drunken sing-a-longs. Basically, it’s the album this particular scene has been waiting for to pick it up off its sissy-nanny ass.
From start to finish, Avalanche United is unyielding. Lyrically, “Holy Fuck” is the perfect track to commence the album. Using his divorce to relate to the band, it’s apparent that Caruana is ready to move on and get back to the one thing that makes him happy. One of the most stimulating things about this album is seeing the track “Brooklyn Dodgers” on it. It’s hard to argue that this particular track is one of the best IATA had released and the version that was graciously delivered to our ears before this album was just a demo. This version is revamped and just as grand as the demo. “Amsterdam” is pretty cut and dry. It’s about partying… in Amsterdam. Moving along…“Is This Really Happening” is the first love song Vinnie has written and when discussing the track he said “…don’t get used to it.”
“Dead Friends” is on the darker side of things for IATA. Not necessarily a ghastly side, just a bit more serious in the fact that they are paying homage to ones who passed before their the time and to the ones who are letting their life get away from them. Keeping with the murky side of things, “The Gravedigger’s Argument” is addressing a gravedigger’s need to bury his wife in his backyard for complete closure. Anthony Raneri of Bayside lends a hand with vocals on that track as well. The last track I’d like to address is of course the last track on the album. As I mentioned earlier, “Brooklyn Dodgers” was by far the best song written by the band before this album was put out. I say that because “Gratitude” is now the best song I Am The Avalanche has released. Talk about saving the best for last. It’s the culmination of everything that is IATA. It’s the song during which you drunkenly stagger over to your buddy, put your arm around him, and scream along to it at the top of your lungs. It’s clear that this track is a thank you to the band’s following when, in reality, we are the ones that should be thanking them.
It’s fair to say that IATA have outdone themselves with this record. The entire band sounds the best they ever have. There’s no denying that these guys know what they are doing and that they have fun while doing it. This is what makes this album such a good listen. If you ever had a thought in your head that these guys fell off, you’re a fool and you should be ashamed of yourself. So with all of this being said, do yourself a favor and buy this album. It’s a sure spot in your Top Ten of 2011.
--Bill Lohr
Comments
Fishers, Indiana
zzz
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Lehigh Valley, PA
YOU SIR, are a fucking idiot if you don't like this. I mean that with all the love in my heart.
Illinois
great record. fully agree with you, i've been jamming it nonstop.
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Lehigh Valley, PA
Very sad there isn't more discussion on this album. Decoy lettin me down yet again.
Minnesota
Once I get to listening to it, I'll let you know. I'm poring through albums for my next Discoveries article at the moment, so I end up avoiding stuff we've already covered.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Illinois
the gravedigger's arguement is such a great song. actually, it's hard to pick a favorite song on this cd. it's one of those albums where i like them all equally and don't just listen to one song.
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San Diego, CA
I really like this album. Sort of got a little bit of a Murphys vibe on a few of the tracks. Me and the fellas had some beers to this bad boy. I suggest you all do the same (Bill, I know you're already a step ahead of me).
Too old to bother, too young to give a shit.
Bronx, New York City
sometimes i hear an album that just makes me want to have sex with it. not the physical piece of plastic, either CD or vinyl, mind you; but the music itself. i want to make love to these songs, sometimes slowly and passionately, sometimes just hitting it raw. this is that good.
--FTTW--