Avion
White Noise
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
White Noise was a long awaited release from this talented group, who seemed to disappear for a couple of years. As soon as I got a copy (it was an Australian pressing and sent by my friend and great brother Arthur Marsh - Didn't he do a great job writing the Jacob's Well article in the last issue?) I hurriedly put it on the turntable. I was overjoyed when the first song, "Celebration," cut through the air with power and polished production. It punches! As I listened on, the only real disappointment was the tone of the lyrics, which seem to deal more with life on this planet rather than a blatant depiction of life in the Spirit. I'm not saying that this is bad, yet it did disappoint my spirit, which longs to worship God whenever possible. The lyrics are printed this time, though, which is a plus. After further study, it becomes apparent that Randall is expressing his life as a believer. I am impressed with his writing skills. This album is more commercial and accessible to a wider audience than the first one, but less appealing to today's headbanger. Avion seems to have moved into the eighties' rock scene, which U2 seems to be king of at the moment (Let's pray for U2, by the way. They are influencing a whole lot of people in a good way.) If you're looking for a well-mixed album, this is it. I tell ya, the secular record companies can afford to give their artists bucks to pay for great studios, engineers and producers. The producers here were Clive Shakespeare and Randall. "Celebration" gets loud at times, when Randall lets his voice out of the box. The next song, "Berlin Wall," is another mellow rocker that Randall does well at putting on vinyl. "In My Mind" and "Ships" also fit into this category, while "Ellie," "We've Got Secrets" and "On and On" fit more into the pop, radio-airplay mold. "Ellie" is a song that describes a guy caught in a relationship where a girl is in love with him, but he doesn't love her. "Ships" is a lament over a relationship that doesn't seem to click. It's almost haunting with its subdued production and clouded mix of Randall's voice. Commendations go to either Randall or Paul Gannell for the melodic lead break in the middle of this song. (Randall plays guitar and sings, while Paul plays guitar and adds backup vocals.) "We've Got Secrets" has a punch and a great hook in the chorus. It's a "Romeo and Juliet" type song with a "daddy doesn't approve" theme. "Calm Before the Storm" is a rocker that has some very intelligent, evangelistically-bent apologetic lyrics. It seems to take a realistic look at humanism and slam it, as it deserves. "On and On" is a killer melodic tune that keeps in with the social issue theme continued from "Calm Before the Storm." "Never Too Late" brings home the message that we can change before it is too late. Randall just excels in both departments: lyrically and musically. "The Next Big Thing," "Calm Before The Storm" and "Never Too Late" are the loudest rockers on this well-balanced album. "The Next Big Thing" is a humorous and all too realistic look at the very temporal world of making it big in the rock scene for a season and quickly falling and being replaced with the "next big thing." It's a different storyline, but very reminiscent of "Juke Box Hero" by Foreigner. Randall's got a million dollar voice and a band that does a terrific job of backing him up. Look for some media attention for Avion in future. If they don't get it, it's certainly not because they don't deserve it. White Noise will soon be released in the US, but may be available now through a resourceful import dealer. Give Larry Miller @ Kosher a shout.