Avail

August 8 - 15, 1 9 9 6 [Off the Record]

*** Avail

4AM FRIDAY

(Lookout)
Avail nurture a distinct fusion of diamond-in-the-rough melodicism with tooth-and-nails hardcore, but their releases have often failed to capture the spirit behind that idea. 4 AM Friday, however, is fully realized. The opening "Simple Song" is a desperately emotive tune with a warm, blanketing chorus that features textured melodic guitar lines and a well-anchored rhythm. The band's heroes, the Ian MacKaye-fronted Embrace, influence the whole project. You can hear it on the stumbling harmonic intro of "McCarthy," which bears an uncanny resemblance to Embrace's "Said Gun," and in the album's sloppy tunefulness. But Avail add their own brand of aggression to the mix. Their pedigree also includes strains of metallic hardcore and pop. Although these elements help illuminate less memorable tracks like "Monroe Park" and "F.C.A," they aren't the band's forte. ("Fix" is the only pop standout.) But warts and all, 4AM Friday is a breakthrough.
-- Lorne Behrman
(Avail play the Middle East this Monday, August 12.)