Avion
Avion
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
I've been meaning to review Avion's debut album, Avion, for a long time, but haven't had room. Now, with the release of their second album, and the room, here's the review. I'll do something different and give my conclusions first: Avion by Avion is a "must-buy," while White Noise is good, very good in fact, but isn't as necessary for Christian headbangers to own. It's a more pop-oriented rock in the Foreigner mold. The first album is not a headbanger's delight either. It is, though, a very good, polished dish of hard rock. "I Need You," the first track of the album, received good airplay on Southern California's KYMS during the summer of '84. I'm sure it got airplay elsewhere as well. The overall polish of the album lets the listener know these guys are pros. Randall Waller, the leader and singer of Avion, does an exceptional job with his voice. If his name sounds familiar to you, it's because he released a solo album on Tunesmith years back, called Midnight Fire. Mellow rockers, like "Diamond Eyes," "Warrior," "Who's Crying Now" and the awesome ballad, "Always Waiting," showcase this smooth voice, which is also reminiscent of Lou Gramm of Foreigner. "Never Let Me Go" is a rocker that has some great hooks and power chords mixed together well enough to get any air guitarist movin'. It's a great song lyrically, too! It pleas for Jesus to be faithful in His promise of the believer's security in Him (John 10:28). "Never let me go/ not even for a day/ Never let me go/ even though I'm far away." "Lady of the Night" is a powerful rocker that puts to song the story of the woman caught in adultery that was brought to Jesus. It's a story that blasts those who would accuse, condemn and judge those caught in sin. This album is a must for Christian rockers. It's probably out-of-print, but someone obviously has copies somewhere. You can probably order it from your local secular record store's catalog. You may come across it in a used record store as well. It's worth the try, believe me! [Released in 1983, RCA AFL 1-4570]