Aviary - Aviary


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Rewind
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 37:17:00

Finally, 23 years after the LP release, this album sees the light of day on CD. Sadly, this was the one and only album released by the band, although the members went on to other well known projects. Vocalist Brad Love is still busy writing music and a review of his latest work will follow soon.

Although difficult to label, the music can best be described as a mix of Pomp, AOR and Prog. Some songs even have a distinct poppy feel to them. You got huge, layered vocal harmonies, intricate instrumentation, swirling keys, beautiful orchestration and piano work. The music is full of variation and details, yet always melodic and never boring. Vocalist Brad Love has a wide range and he puts on a majestic vocal performance. Absolutely wonderful! Opener "Soaring" has to be one of the best songs every written and is a perfect example of the capacity that lied within this band. And I am positive that a lot of bands within abovementioned genres has been influenced by this band.

The musicianship is outstanding, the orchestration perfect and the songs are for the most part simply wonderful. The production is surprisingly strong, coming off clear and balanced. It's almost unbelievable thinking this was recorded back in 1979.

Aviary has created a musical masterpiece of ageless music that sound just as fresh and intriguing today as it did back then. I am sure that if people give this CD a try, Aviary will gain a lot of new fans. Do yourself a favor and purchase this classic CD. Highly recommended!

Similar bands: Queen/Styx/Kansas/Beatles

[This review originally appeared October 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Soaring / Anthem For The U.S.A. / Puddles / As Close As You Can Get / Mystic Sharon / Feel The Heart / Average Boy / I Will Hear / Maple Hall

Musicians:
Brad Love - keyboards, vocals
Oayk Madden - keyboards
Ken Steimonts - bass, vocals
Toby Bowen - guitar
Richard Bryans - drums. vocals

Discography:
Aviary (1979/2002)

Genre: Other

Origin US

Added: November 26th 2004
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.bradlove.com/aviary.htm
Hits: 2897
Language: english

  

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