It is not very often that a band can be around for well over a decade, make great music, and not get any recognition--unless you are on Bettie Rocket Records, or from Switzerland.
The latter is the case for Favez, a rock band from Lausanne. Before becoming Favez, they were called Favez's Disciples and released three albums under that name, before dropping the Disciples in 1997 and releasing their first e.p. under the name Favez, entitled Coming Home 3 Songs. Doghouse Records distributed four of their last seven releases here in the states, which brings us to their latest release Bellefontaine Avenue.
Enough with the band history, let's move on to the record. Bellefontaine Avenue starts with the beautiful "Emmanuel Hall", a song driven by the vocals of Chris Wicky, a keyboard that uses an organ effect, and a wall of guitars. "Times Were High" starts off with a big dumb rock riff, which eventually goes into an extremely poppy chorus. This seems to be the case for most of the songs on Bellefontaine Avenue that start with really loud rock verses, before building into choruses with a big hook that pull you in.
Throughout the album, the keyboard is heard just as much as the guitar, and it works. It doesn't sound like a Get Up Kids imitation or Reggie and the Full Effect, it has its own voice and really adds to the music. There is one all acoustic track "System" that is just Wicky and his guitar before the album picks back up with "Battle Weary Blues." The pop sensibilities really shine through on "The Light Is Coming In" complete with "oohs and aahs" and also "It's A Hit." The album closes out with probably one of the heaviest tracks aptly titled "Heavy Metal."
After doing some research on the band, I have heard comparisons from everything to Jawbox to Weezer, and that doesn't do them justice. This is a well thought out, well crafted rock record that will pull you back for repeated listens. I am looking forward to hearing plenty more from this band.
3/4
