Caught this group opening for MUDHONEY less than a month ago here in this wretched region of all things DJville and still can’t get over how flabbergasted I am every time I heed their supremacy. Their resonance is very matchless and a resounding deathblow to the brainless banter of every Tom, Dick and dumbass who annoys you at the bar with their jivin'’ jaded jerkoff “It’s all been done before” repartee. Fuck that noise and bring on the boys (and girl). BOA consists of a singer/sometimes keyboardist, two guitarists, a bassist and a drummer. The guitars (guy and gal who communicate onstage through telepathic tension) have extremely liberal doses of the kind of twin harmonies mostly found in the more metallic music of IRON MAIDEN and over-the-top hard rock of THIN LIZZY. Yeah, you could say that the Peacedog darling status is inevitable. The Birds are all things rock. Rawk. Tight, aggressive and ever harmonious is the way to go through life, bucko. The drums and bass are all over the place. Hell, the entire ensemble is all over the place. Elements of psych, prog, power pop, metal and garage are sprinkled like fairy dust all over the rawk. It’s seamless, unrefined and you never get the feeling that they force their diversity on ya with a NAKED SHITTY/ MR BUNGHOLE affront.

“Bicentennial Baby” opens up “Bazaar” with full-on command and control. The best way to describe it would be a psychedelic CHEAP TRICK. As strong an opener, it is surpassed by the bombast of “Horse Called Dust”. Afterwards things quiet down a little for the low key sound of “Instant Coma”. The song has a jazzy tone complete with Rhodes-sounding keyboards. “Set You Free” shows the rocking side with dynamics all over the place. “Wanderlust” and “Think” both have the slow trippy psyche thing going. “Taking Trains” totally ups the ante with brute force. This track really showcases the rhythm section’s tightness and ability to shine. “Superpower” opens with the aforementioned guitar harmonies. What’s really cool is that unlike most metal acts, there is no rhythm guitar overdubbed during these sections and all you can hear is the bass underneath. Beautiful. The closing composition “Lost Pages From The Robot Repair Manual” moves fast with repetition and chanted group vocals (no lead vocal here). Past the halfway point a barrage of riffs come at you when your guard is down. Riff-wise BOA gives BOC a run for their money

Every single one of the 11 tunes here is composed with it’s own voice. Nothing sounds alike yet there is a similarity that connects the vibe throughout. The MITCH EASTER (who was recently featured in an interview on this site) production really allows the songs to shine. There is not a single cut here that is less than brilliant. Their live show is one of the best I’ve seen in years. This CD (with amazing artwork - which is also available on vinyl) takes it to another level by capturing the essence of their vision. I can practically guarantee an interview here in Peacedogmanland in the coming months. BIRDS OF AVALON have landed!

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.birdsofavalon.com

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