Avion - Avion Console/Image

This is pure rock and alternative perfection at its finest. If I had to choose between Imagine Dragons and Steve Bertrand music I think we all know what my choice would be. I am obsessed with Steve Bertrand and his music whether it be with The Tories or with Avion. I can't believe it took me so long to hear of these amazingly talented bands fronted by Steve Bertrand but ever since I stumbled across his music I haven't stopped listening to them. Steve Bertrand is all I listen to day and night. Whether I'm orgasming or jumping around or dancing and getting high there's always something amazing for me and I know I'll find it. I guess you could say I'm floating away on wings that I borrowed!

I've been a fan of Steve Bertrand since I first heard/saw him as front man for The Tories. After releasing two outstanding but almost unheard records, the Tories drowned in a sea of label/exposure problems and after a while, everyone involved gave up and moved on... Fortunately, Steve kept writing and after a false start as he toyed with beginning a solo career, (completing several tunes for a project called "Joyride"), he landed in Avion. This offering is the only recording to surface by the band but it has all the earmarks that would have been a third Tories recording and as such, it will fit nicely into the collection of anyone who has enjoyed one or both of those. The thoughtful lyrics and smooth chord changes are there, all tightly bound to outstanding musicianship and immaculate production technique. Also ever-present is the Tories trademark of using squeaky clean tracks offset and highlighted by greasy guitars. Even the megaphone back up vocals in "Trinidad and a DC10" and the "record-stop" stall in the middle of the 2nd verse of "Starting Over" are here to prove the artist's pedigree. Be advised though, that not all of the songs presented here are fresh and newly created for this release. "Would You Notice" was borrowed from the 2nd Tories record and "Bulletproof Glow" came from Steve's aborted solo sessions. But the recycling doesn't detract from the quality or validity of the package. Even without those two tunes, there is plenty here to listen to and enjoy! The tunes are interesting, the mix is outstanding, the performance is sincere... in short, it's a record worth owning. (And while you're listening to Avion, order up a copy of Steve's first solo record called "Pain Is A Megaphone". It's the next logical link in the chain.)

Mark my words: This band is going to make it big. What an amazing debut CD from a mainstream rock band that combines powerful songwriting with song style variation, to give you a product worth listening to over and over. 1. Would you Notice - (5 stars) - Kicking off the song with an upbeat, drum-your-steering-wheel entrance, it breaks into an energetic chorus, almost irresistible to not sing along to. 2. Beautiful - (4 stars) - With a great blend of instrumentation and background vocals, this is a song worth breaking out your air guitar for. 3. Seven Days Without You - (5 stars) - Time to slow it down..a lot. I'm a sucker for rock ballads, but even if you aren't, you'd appreciate this song if you've ever felt alone. The subtle piano entrance and rock-solid guitar chords in the chorus make this song worth turning up the volume to. 4. Loved - (3 1/2 stars) - Pouring out "I just want to be loved" in the chorus explains this song. Simple, yet effective, this song gets the point across. 5. Perfect From Now On - (4 stars) - Another song for you and your air guitar to jam to. This song is all power, and power doesn't have to mean that the whole thing is loud and in your face...that's just the chorus :-). Very good. 6. Where Are You Now - (4 1/2 stars) - Kick it down a notch. This is a song like none other on the album. With a steady enough beat, yet cooled-off feeling, it has a strong impact. 7. Starting Over - (4 1/2 stars) - Great song. It's slower, but very powerful and easy to relate to. 8. Bulletproof Glow - (3 1/2 stars) - This is the song that defines the hard core point that this band is trying to hit in their attack on different types of musical styles. It's not one of my favorite songs on this album, but it's worth hearing. 9. It Falls Back On Me - (5 stars) - I got hooked on this band from this song alone. I heard it on Yahoo's LAUNCHcast radio. It's straight from the heart, and I can relate to it only too easily. Best song on the album. 10. Trinidad and a DC-10 - (5 stars) - Kicking it up a notch or two, this song has the catchiest melody of any song on the album, and it's one of my favorite songs. This is the one you stick in the stereo when no-one else is home and just crank it up and jam to in your empty house. 11. When I Breathe - (5 stars) - Strengthening the backside of this album even more, "when I breathe" is another rock ballad, and it's my favorite of the 3 or 4 on this album. Not only are these the most powerful lyrics of any song I've ever heard before, but I can also relate to this song so much that my emotions are strongly shown every single time I hear it. When a song does that to you, you know it's something special. 12. Love is Here Again - (4 stars) - Back-to-back rock ballads have a bad track record when it comes to CD song placement, but this is one exception that I'm willing to make, and enjoy. Steve Bertrand shows his amazing voice in this feature. 13. The Best is Yet to Come - (5 stars) - A feel-good, kick-back, enjoy life kind of song. How fitting a title to close out this collection of amazing music. This song being placed as the last song hopefully means that the best of this band's music/creativity is yet to come. If that is so, I CAN'T WAIT till Avion's next album to hit stores. When it does, it will be mine as soon as I can get my hands on it. - - - - - - - - - Remember what I said! This band is going to make it big. If you want to check out their video for "Seven Days Without You" you can find it on launch.yahoo.com. Buy this album, and I promise that you will realize that it is worth every penny, and then some.

AVIONの曲で初めて聴いたのは“seven days without you”なのですが、心が落ち着く感じで好きです。ほかの曲も聴いてみると本当によくて、AVIONの曲に出会えてよかったなと思います。何回も聴くとさらに好きになります☆

Steve Bertrand率いる5人編成バンドのデビューアルバム。オフィシャルサイトを見るとフロントマンは以前Toriesというパワーポップバンドで活動していた様子。 「Avion」というバンド名からは何となく80～90年代のHRが連想されるかもしれませんが、本アルバムで聴けるのは（そうしたHRの良い要素も含みつつ）良質のメロディアスで現代的なロックです。程よくギターエッジの効いたミドルテンポの楽曲を中心に、T2,T4のポップでキャッチーな曲、T3,T6,T10の良質のバラード等々、飽きさせないアルバムです。ボーカルの声質もこの手のメロディアスなロックにぴったりです。オフィシャルサイトで全曲視聴（Steve Bertrandで検索を）可能、ぜひ一聴の価値ありと思います。