Avelar L.P. #1

[Self-Released; 2003]

Styles:  jangle-pop-punk-rock
Others: Presidents of United States of America, Geggy Tah


Though Avelar's sound doesn't fit the stereotype I have of L.A., I can't cut them a break. Sure they're catchy (my toes are admittedly tapping), but most of the hooks feel stolen and the wah passages are a little more than formulaic. It's basically wannabe Built to Spill and Pavement with some heart, but nothing original to say lyrically or musically. The lyrics consistently try to separate themselves as something distinctive and honest amidst a sea of soulless stargazers. It's like Built to Spill with a dull rhythm section and poetry-less, subtlety-eschewing vocals. And "X-Y = Z"'s ending chords are so directly lifted from Modest Mouse's "Broke" they oughta be sued.

People who haven't heard the real deal might dig these guys, so here's where my job comes in. If you want to take pity on Avelar and pick up their CD or see them play, be my guest, but there is music that is infinitely more worth your time out there that takes more or less the same approach. It's certainly ear-candy, though. If they'd get some horns and a new rhythm section and drop the whiny PickYourPopPunkBand-type vocals, there might be something there to work with.
 
There's too much derivative music out there to just let this one slip by with a "they show promise" type of review. Unlike like, say, Erase Errata, who owe a debt to many no wave artists, Avelar simply lack even the slightest amount of originality and try to ward off these kind of reviews with self-deprecating and scene-criticizing lyrics. Nice try, but you're not gonna fool anyone but the people you're attempting to distance yourself from. 1. http://www.avelartherockband.com/
2. file://localhost/home/u4/tinymixtapes2/html/musicreviews/musicreviews.htm

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