Avondale - "Enormous Black Power Gift"

Album review by Danny Alexander

It's great to hear a CD like this, one that moves beyond old definitions of metal and alternative with a fresh, unified sound. That sound is largely defined by a massive sonic assault made up of loping bass and guitar and drums that both keep the beat and answer the music as a whole. What makes Avondale different from most post-metal are the clean lines of its songwriting, the breathing room in the mix and the passionate performances by singer Matt Palubicki, who can shout, spit fire and sing the hell out of an ambitious, lilting melody. As an album, Enormous Black Power Gift cuts to the heart of what much of the greatest rock is all about. Revolving around shaking off a diseased relationship, a song like "Power Gift" finds the bluesy strength in individualism. At the same time, "Shine" and "Superstar" offer the promise of transcendence, a hope that can only come by grappling with the ugliest details of reality.

--Danny Alexander