Review: Avail - Front Porch Stories

artist: avail album: front porch stories label: fat wreck chords released: 11/5/02 by: rob tatum I know you are thinking, Avail? Fat Wreck Chords? Punk? Yep. Avail is one of the most energetic and fun bands I have ever seen live and that energy tends to carry over to their releases. A lot of people felt that Avail might change when they left Lookout! Records for Fat Wreck two years ago, but I can assure that they haven’t lost sight of what they are good at. Combining elements of just about everything, Avail has a unique sound that is usually referred to as punk, but there are aspects of hardcore, and the occasional melodies stray away from punk or hardcore. Vocalist Tim Barry pounds out each of the twelve songs on this record with heart and passion. Musically the record stays right where one would expect it based on Avail’s previous five full lengths. Driving guitars, fast beats, occasional solos and heavy parts, but typical, “get the crowd moving” rock. My biggest complaint about this album, as with most releases lately, is that it clocks in around half an hour. Averaging less than three minutes a song, I wish that there were more than twelve tracks. The fifth track Gravel to Dirt shows the melodic side of Avail as it is both slower and mellower than the other tracks on the CD. The best song is Subdued and Arrested which speaks about standing up for what you believe. Barry’s lyrics continue to be motivational and with good intentions. Overall, the album is nothing special. I love Avail and don’t get me wrong, this album will be in my regular rotation for quite some time, but it’s not an album that everyone should get. If you like Avail, melodic punk, or you need have never heard of them before, check this out. If none of those apply to you, then you won’t be missing anything. favorite song: subdued and arrested rating: 74%/100% listen to avail