Godsmack frontman and songwriter, Sully Erna has released his first solo album. 'Avalon' is a monumental piece of rock music, heavily influenced by the music of the East, Far and Middle. And yes, there's a strong Led Zeppelin feel to several of these tracks, as well as a clear bloodline leading back to his day job.
 
Arguably, Erna's contemporary rock vocals - mannered, guttural, virile, lack the sensitivity to make an emotional connection outside of Godsmack's aggressively metal sphere of influence.
But Erna stands that notion on its head. His ability to write memorably melodic tunes, and lyrics that are heavily charged with personal insights and social commentary make you come back to this album, time and time again.
 
Sully also produces, using acoustic guitar and piano as the building blocks, adding strings, choirs, flutes and feet-in-the-dust tribal rhythms in various measures, depending on the mood of the song being constructed.  Though I'm sure in reality the process is much more organic.
Despite the relatively innovative approach, the musical parameters remain narrow. Once you accept that, 'Avalon' is a hugely enjoyable album.
 
Lisa Guyer (who's worked with Godsmack) shares vocals with Sully on several tracks, most notably on the haunting 'Sinner's Prayer'.  The rhythms are layered, the vocal melody repetitive, hypnotic - Guyer shadows Erna's vocal throughout. The cumulative effect is a dark delight, strangely emotive and melodically compelling.
 
The atmospheric opener and title track, 'Avalon' is a mesmeric entry point, setting the mood and the scene with clattering rhythms and a one tone vocal melody line.
'My Light' quickly settles into a positive groove, hitting a soulful, uplifting, semi religious note, buoyed by a faux gospel choir.
Conversely, 'The Rise' dives deep, emotionally, musically. Chorale grunts and gasps punctuate rushing cellos and Guyer's soaring vocals on a song that delivers bigtime to aficionados of "verse, bridge, chorus" song construction.
 
But the truth is that it is often difficult to differentiate the tracks that make up 'Avalon'.
They are thematically and musically similar, but that is not a negative criticism. The whole album accumulates a weight, a gravitas that reminds you of some of the great concept albums of the past. Whether Erna was aiming for that is a moot point. But that is what he has achieved.
And he seems a thoroughly decent guy. I am sure his children, if he has any, will all be nice little Ernas.

Written by Brian
Sunday, November 14, 2010
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Ratings

Brian: 7/10

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