Aveo - Battery

Genre Rock Publisher Barsuk Records External Links Official Site Record Label

Speculation, mysteries of the universe, love, heart break, loneliness, and ballads about insomnia. And God, you can't forget God. Sounds unique, doesn't it? These subjects are commonly used in just about every genre of music in one way or another, but when done right they can take a new lease on life. Emphasis on the words 'when done right.' There in lies the problem that plagues Seattle's Aveo.

The lyrics and semi-catchy melodies aren't the problems (or at least not the predominant ones) here. In the end, the downfall of Battery is that the band fails to take chances, leaving a potentially notable record an unrealized one. While the songs can be catchy, they are left undistinguished by the same bass, drum, and guitar effects within each song, making the entire record sound like a rusty jam session as opposed to an actual studio album. The vaguely demo-like atmosphere here gives an impression that the band was either afraid of enhancing their sound in the studio, inexperienced at recording, or simply reluctant to look ambitious.

There are moments when everything falls into place; Newton and Galileo is a noteworthy track where the boys of Aveo have a good handle on what sound they are trying to put across. Everything from the dreamy ambiance to singer William Wilson's hushed, eerie vocals sets this song head and shoulders above the other songs on the album. Yet songs like Awkward at the Knees and Dust the Dreams of Brooms sound like slightly tweaked demos that they decided to put on the record to simply take up space.

Then there are the lyrics. While there are some genuinely decent bittersweet words here (delivered on the aforementioned Newton and Galileo and also on Hayley), they are nearly cancelled out by a self loathing that leaves only the bitter. Case in point, Desert and the Great Divorce's lyrics And I feel so useless waking up every day. Then there are the songs such as 3 A.M./Insomnia Waltz which meanders around the point to the extent that you plain forget what the point was. Moon Ray from the scarred earth beneath you, Moon Ray hope the stars' shine doesn't taunt you, Moon Ray!.. There are bands with truly awful lyrics and, even though Aveo isn't amongst those ranks, they too often allow the lyrics to wander into the cheesy or simply obscure to the point that it is impossible to connect with their intended message.

With their sophomore release, Aveo leaves you contemplating if what you heard was a band that could conceivably get better, or one who has reached that middle ground and decided to permanently settle there. They waste their potential by playing it safe, and will remain at that middle ground unless they find out what they are really trying to do..or simply decide to go for it.