CD Review
AVIATIC- Arrival (BC/Stereotrain)
Gor Mkhitarian and I have a habit of sharing music with each other once in a while. A few months ago, he sent me a copy of the LA based Aviatic's debut CD release, Arrival. In true Gor fashion, the CD came unannounced. However, through Mr. Mkhitarian's recent independent CD releases, he has gotten to know the LA music scene pretty well. And, the lead singer of Aviatic Sebu Simonian did a guest vocal spot on Gor's new self titled CD.
I confess to not knowing much about Aviatic, except for the fact that Gor has talked them up for about a year. I paid little attention since I was off producing more classical stuff of late and was focused on educating myself on classical guitar and artists such as Segovia, Williams, Kanengiser, and Russell. However, my listening pattern has taken an interesting turn with sudden jolts of KT Tunstall, Imogen Heap, and Corinne Bailey Rae. Oh, I even was able to bribe my wife to attend an Asia reunion show at Avalon in Boston. Yes, it was strange, but, nostalgia comes in weird ways.
The last thing I have been in the mood for lately is power rock. But, ever since I heard Aviatic's "Goodbye Beautiful Day", I was curious to hear more. On a recent trip to NYC for a Iakovos Kolanian concert, I was able to give this album a full throttled listen. The 9 song demo was restored my faith in Coldplay/Duran Duran type music with Aviatic gunning for a major label recording contract.
"Goodbye Beautiful Day" was a Top 10 song on Yahoo Music, the only unsigned band to chart. Their song "Stroll" was on a TV movie fairly recently. Clearly, people are catching on. What I like about this CD is that all band members are completely focused on making dramatic rock anthems without the cheese. Simonian's voice has hints of Simon LeBon while drummer Barrett Yeretsian pounds away with conviction.
Overall, my favorite cuts are "Shine" and "Poor You", along with the obvious masterpiece "Goodbye Beautiful Day". The Aviatic's Arrival is guilty pleasure with the ability to rise above usual dumbed down pop. This is a clear case where the sum of its parts trump the individual parts. This is one of my favorite albums of 2006 and look for the Aviatic to hit it big in 2007/2008. You can quote me on that.
Other CD's I have received are Sonya Varoujian's "Janapar", and Element Band's "Yev Oh Phe". I also have Deti Picasso's "Ethnic Experiments". I can't say that they were all great, but, Deti Picasso's CD is the clear winner in terms of vision and originality.
These days, I am currently in flux in which way to take my record label, Pomegranate Music. However, I do have a potential offer on the table for a well known classical guitar duo from Italy/Switzerland that would be a nice departure from the more ethnic/folk stuff I have done in the last 5 years.
We'll see.
Gor Mkhitarian and I have a habit of sharing music with each other once in a while. A few months ago, he sent me a copy of the LA based Aviatic's debut CD release, Arrival. In true Gor fashion, the CD came unannounced. However, through Mr. Mkhitarian's recent independent CD releases, he has gotten to know the LA music scene pretty well. And, the lead singer of Aviatic Sebu Simonian did a guest vocal spot on Gor's new self titled CD.
I confess to not knowing much about Aviatic, except for the fact that Gor has talked them up for about a year. I paid little attention since I was off producing more classical stuff of late and was focused on educating myself on classical guitar and artists such as Segovia, Williams, Kanengiser, and Russell. However, my listening pattern has taken an interesting turn with sudden jolts of KT Tunstall, Imogen Heap, and Corinne Bailey Rae. Oh, I even was able to bribe my wife to attend an Asia reunion show at Avalon in Boston. Yes, it was strange, but, nostalgia comes in weird ways.
The last thing I have been in the mood for lately is power rock. But, ever since I heard Aviatic's "Goodbye Beautiful Day", I was curious to hear more. On a recent trip to NYC for a Iakovos Kolanian concert, I was able to give this album a full throttled listen. The 9 song demo was restored my faith in Coldplay/Duran Duran type music with Aviatic gunning for a major label recording contract.
"Goodbye Beautiful Day" was a Top 10 song on Yahoo Music, the only unsigned band to chart. Their song "Stroll" was on a TV movie fairly recently. Clearly, people are catching on. What I like about this CD is that all band members are completely focused on making dramatic rock anthems without the cheese. Simonian's voice has hints of Simon LeBon while drummer Barrett Yeretsian pounds away with conviction.
Overall, my favorite cuts are "Shine" and "Poor You", along with the obvious masterpiece "Goodbye Beautiful Day". The Aviatic's Arrival is guilty pleasure with the ability to rise above usual dumbed down pop. This is a clear case where the sum of its parts trump the individual parts. This is one of my favorite albums of 2006 and look for the Aviatic to hit it big in 2007/2008. You can quote me on that.
Other CD's I have received are Sonya Varoujian's "Janapar", and Element Band's "Yev Oh Phe". I also have Deti Picasso's "Ethnic Experiments". I can't say that they were all great, but, Deti Picasso's CD is the clear winner in terms of vision and originality.
These days, I am currently in flux in which way to take my record label, Pomegranate Music. However, I do have a potential offer on the table for a well known classical guitar duo from Italy/Switzerland that would be a nice departure from the more ethnic/folk stuff I have done in the last 5 years.
We'll see.
posted by Raffi at 7:34 AM
7 Comments:
I loved Element's "Yev O Phe"...I thought it was great...
I really liked Element Band's Songs. They're really great! I only heard some online and loved it!
I will do a review of both Sonya's "Janapar" and Element Band's "Yev Oh Phe" at a future date
Raffi, I used to follow your Armenian music blog. I think it's gone now but it was interesting to read your opinions. Glad to see you reviewing again.
Hi Mr. E,
Yeah, sorry I haven't kept up. I've just been busy with some other projects and could not commit to it. Every once in a while I will try to rustle up a review or two. Can't promise they will all be positive, but, they will be honest.
I've been listening to Sebu sing since he was with "The Unknown Project," his previous band. I was impressed myself, but was disappointed they split... and he seems to do that a lot with bands. But I always thought he had talent to get picked up by mainstream and when I heard Aviatic started up, I had a feeling it would go somewhere. The album is solid in its genre. I agree with Raffi, I think these guys will become quite popular in the coming years just based on their ability to create, produce, and promote themselves.
Sebu is true first and foremost to his music and craft.
I have heard him mature and grow since the first IO demo tape. Io became Interstellar Overdrive, which broke up to become Slow Motion Reign and The Unknown Project, which broke up to become Aviatic along with Barrett from Beat and Path, and Aram is now part of Where's Moo. Sam from SMR is now part of a band called The Dirty Diamond.
It's like "Love Actually."
I don't think it's fair to say that Sebu seems to cause break ups in bands or that he leaves arbitrarily. Sometimes you grow, and instead of growing together you move apart. Personalities change.
But, with Sebu ... I can cite "Stroll" as my prime example of his music permutating, growing and getting stronger with each band that he is a part of. That song is a simple ditty on that demo tape. It became more percussive and melodic with the Interstellar Overdrive LP. Now, it's soundtrack material, a fully fledged romantic rock anthem.
I'm not sure what Raffi's review will say, but I've always believed in Sebu's music and the soul he injects into every song. I know that with these four, success is impending.
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