Birds of Avalon is an album saturated in analog sounds, creating the kind of atmosphere best heard on psychedelic and prog rock records from the early 70's.  The album was recorded at Mitch Easter's Fidelitorium, in Kernersville, NC, so there is no surprise in the album's rich analog tone and occasional instrumental surprises.  Mandocello, old drum machines, and a Chamberlin keyboard(!) are just some of the musical toys provided to the band while residing at the Fidelitorium.

The treatment of vocals is one of the fine touches on this record.  The album features Craig Tilley, the group's original vocalist in the forefront on some tracks.  More group vocals take place throughout the album.  Dueling guitars of Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler weave effortlessly between the left and right channels while bassist David Mueller and drummer Scott Nurkin anchor in efficient and melodic fashion.  The overall pace is another highlight on Birds of Avalon.  A collection of great songs can be muddled by how the songs precede and follow each other.  If it is done right, the album can be instantly gratifying and easily put on repeat.  This album has the appropriate pace. 

Birds of Avalon's opening track, "Xarardheere," establishes contact in an assertive way, much like "Airbag" does for Radiohead's OK Computer or "Scene One" from The Pretty Things's Parachute.  Songs like "Golden Nose", "+ Moonbeams" and "Polysex Deathblog" shine as choice examples of the group singing as a team.  "& Moonbeams" has some great guitar tones that pay homage to the work of Robert Fripp.  The albums's first single "Invasion" is one of the albums stand out tracks.  It reminds listeners that this band puts nothing but their best foot forward.

The album is decorated with krautrock influence.  The songs on Birds of Avalon contain breakdowns that could go toe to toe with anything that Liebezeit and Czukay would use to anchor a Can jam session.  "Road to Oslo" calls to mind Kraftwerk's "Autobahn".  But being a musical metronome is not the focus of this album.  The album is constantly morphing.  It tricks the listener with those reprieves of halcyonic repetition.  Songs like "Diggi Palace" and "Particle Drag" provide rest on the albums second side while "Pim Pom" and another standout track, "Spiders On The Line", find the listener racing through the fray.  "Spiders On The Line" is that final peak on the album, combining excellent vocals, tempo switches and catchy melodies - all backed by musical muscle.  "Shadowy End" has a hypnotic riff and drum beat.  The lyrics are delivered with a sense of relief and hushed triumph.  It is ominously relaxing, letting you know that even though the album is coming to a close, you can just as easily start it over again.

Each song on Birds of Avalon comes together for what is definitely the band's best work.  Birds of Avalon are having to relearn the songs that were forged years ago, now sharing vocal duties.  Things may have changed, but the goal is still the same. The band are ready to give this album its proper moment in time.

Birds of Avalon, the album, comes with some groovy 3Dimensional artwork by drummer Scott Nurkin that adds to the hipnotic nature of the album. The band includes a pair of 3D glasses. How many LPs do you see these days that come with a vinyl, artwork, a digital download and 3D glasses? Very few.

 

Buy the album over at Amazon right now or stop by Schoolkids and they should have some for purchse soon.