BRENTWOOD, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Sparrow Records) - While Avalon is certainly proud of their past (21chart-topping singles, 6 Dove Awards, 3 Grammy nominations and an AmericanMusic Award), it sure would be easy for the quartet to rest on their laurelsand continue to offer their known slick brand of vocal pop. But they are now Reborn, their aptly titled brandnew project, slated for release on
September 15th (E1 Music).
It is important to note that the similarity between any previous Avalon albums and Reborn ends now, thanks to thiscutting edge and unequivocally original record. "Reborn is a fitting title becauseit signifies the birth of something new and exciting, which is certainly trueof the current season of Avalon," explains Janna Long, the group'sfounding member. Comprising the rest of the quartet is Greg Long (Janna'shusband and group member since '03), Jeremi Richardson, as well as its newestmember, Amy Richardson, making her Avalon debut on Reborn, and who also happens tobe Jeremi's wife.
"I've literally listened to Avalon for as long as I can remember, so I can tell youboth as a member and a fan that people's jaws are going to hit the ground whenthey hear Reborn,"asserts Jeremi, who joined the group in 2007. "Everyone I've played it forso far says they'd never expect it, but at the same time, they can totally tellit's Avalon, which to us is the ultimate compliment."
One of the most instantly apparent changes comes in the credits, which for the very firsttime in the group's illustrious history unites the group with producer IanEskelin (All Star United, Krystal Meyers, Stellar Kart, Francesca Battistelli).It's a curious choice indeed considering his respected rankings in the modernrock spectrum, but one that helps cement Avalon's latest endeavor as arguablytheir most ambitious to date.
"This has been one of the most uniqueand fun recording projects I have ever been involved in," Ian Eskelinexclaims. "These guys are fearless and their vocals are killer. They aresome of the hardest working, ready for anything, talented musicians I haveworked with."
A tour isslated for the Fall to promote the new project. This is sure to be anexciting time on the road for Avalon as the group is more than ready to sharetheir new songs with fans across the country.
For the creation of Reborn,Avalon partnered with the label E1 Music. Along with the new venture came acompletely open creative canvas where the group was encouraged to stretchitself further than ever before. Previously known as Koch Records, E1 Music hashosted the diverse likes of The Beatles' Ringo Starr, Ashley Cleveland, TwilaParis, and Bishop E. Long.
"They took all the reigns off andbasically said, 'you've been doing this for awhile, so just do what youdo,'" recalls Greg of the E1 experience. "No one was ever lookingover our shoulders talking to us about core demographics, which gave us thechance to just focus on the artistic side. We love our history and are gratefulfor everything God's given us, but that type of freedom also allowed us theopportunity to experiment and have a lot of fun in the process."
Reborn offers aggressive melodiestied with atypical harmonies and guitar-driven moments. The new sound is sureto give dedicated Avalon fans a new twist on the group's well-known formula,while expanding its appeal to a wider audience than ever before.
"Overthe last three years, we released a hymns record, a covers record and aretrospective record, plus had some members change," Janna reflects."Between that and the fact that life was just happening right alongside itall, there's a pivotal change and evolution. Sure, the vocal standpoint isconsistent with the Avalon sound, but the rest is much more varied. This isdefinitely not your Mom's Avalon record!"
Reborn song listing*:
1. Alive
2. Reborn
3. Destined
4. Feel
5. Fragile
6. Stay
7. Holy
8. Arise
9. California
10. Angels
*not final sequence
