Birds Of Avalon

by Nadeem Ali

Birds Of Avalon fly high

"Their deliciously inventive debut album ‘Bazaar, Bazaar’ is set to confirm the band as one of 2008’s hottest acts. Within its lusciously inviting depths the spirits of Led Zeppelin, MC5, Queen and Jellyfish can be heard."

Heavy psyche-rock seems to be in fashion at the moment if the Guardian are to be believed. If that is the case Birds Of Avalon should be added to a list that includes the likes of Dead Meadow, Black Mountain and Comets On Fire. Their proggy hard rocking soulful psyche shimmy has made them a lot of friends in a short space of time.

BOA rose out of the ashes of garage rockers The Cherry Valance. After nine years together guitarists Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler got married and then left the band. When they hooked up with The Weather’s Craig Tilley (vocals/keyboards) the seeds were sown for a new 21st century rock ’n’ roll behemoth. With the addition of David Mueller (bass) and Scott Nurkin (drums) BOA were truly ready for flight. Since 2005 they have played shows with like minded souls, including Mudhoney, Oneida and The Fucking Champs, but finally their time is now. The band found a home on Volcom Entertainment. Volcom Entertainment is the offshoot of the skate/snowboarding/ski clothing/gear manufacturer. They make an odd team but it has allowed Siler and Kumar the chance to work with a producer, Mitch Easter, that they couldn’t afford during their Cherry Valance days.

Their deliciously inventive debut album ‘Bazaar, Bazaar’ is set to confirm the band as one of 2008’s hottest acts. Within its lusciously inviting depths the spirits of Led Zeppelin, the MC5, Queen and Jellyfish can be heard. It is an unpredictable, freewheeling record that luxuriates in its own wild and trippy world where ELO and Black Sabbath sit comfortably together. Each song it its own individual journey. As the album progresses the songs reveal new textures, sounds and Craig Tilley’s lyrical expeditions to the listener.

BOA’s sweet psyche-rock is full of candy coloured melodic pop touches. The dual guitar interplay reaches wondrously phantasmagorical heights. Easter’s production wraps everything including the strutting stompers is wrapped in a hazy, dreamy gauze. They sound like they are playing at the top of a Holy Mountain sending down sonic waves, which wash over all and sundry like radioactive fumes leaking from a nuclear power plant.

Kumar and Siley’s style might have been described as ‘anti-riff’ but that doesn’t stop the band from rocking with the utmost intensity. They are fully committed to guitars. There is no irony, no devil horn signs, or spandex clad faux rockiosity. Be warned BOA might wear their trousers tight and limbs loose but they are not pastiche.

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