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Avalanche United
Black and white photo of five men on top of a white background
Studio album by
I Am the Avalanche
ReleasedOctober 11, 2011
RecordedFebruary–July 2011
StudioStudio 159, Waldwick, New Jersey
GenreMelodic hardcore, punk rock
Length35:38
LabelI Surrender
ProducerBrett Romnes
I Am the Avalanche chronology
I Am the Avalanche
(2005) 		Avalanche United
(2011) 		Wolverines
(2014)
Singles from Avalanche United
  1. "Holy Fuck"
    Released: August 23, 2011
  2. "Brooklyn Dodgers"
    Released: September 13, 2011

Avalanche United is the second studio album by American rock band, I Am the Avalanche, released by I Surrender Records on October 11, 2011. Following the release of their eponymous debut album in 2005, the band's activity slowed. Vocalist Vinnie Caruana went through a divorce and subsequently wrote an abundance of material. I Am the Avalanche recorded Avalanche United between February and July 2011 at Studio 159 in Waldwick, New Jersey. Described as a melodic hardcore and punk rock album, Avalanche United also features material written by guitarist Mike Ireland.

Avalanche United received generally positive reviews from music critics, some praising the musicianship. "Holy Fuck" and "Brooklyn Dodgers" were released as singles in August and September 2011, respectively, before the release of the album. To promote Avalanche United, I Am the Avalanche supported the bands Saves the Day and Bayside on their co-headlining US tour, and released a music video for "Brooklyn Dodgers". The band ended the year with a headlining UK tour. In the first half of 2012, the band toured the UK and the US again, and appeared on that year's Warped Tour.

Background and recording

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I Am the Avalanche released their eponymous debut album in late 2005, through Drive-Thru Records.[1] Though the band was out of the public eye for some time, they frequently went on regional tours.[2] Eventually, the band members settled into their home life and day jobs, performing shows infrequently. Vocalist Vinnie Caruana married an English woman whom he later divorced. This led to him writing a large amount of material.[3] In contrast to their previous album, which was written in Seattle, the band wrote new material in New York City.[4]

I Am the Avalanche recorded the album at Studio 159, in Waldwick, New Jersey, between February and July 2011.[5][6] Drummer Brett Romnes was Avalanche United's producer, assisted by Brian Turner and Greg Altman. Brian McTernan performed additional drum production at Salad Days Studio in Baltimore, Maryland. American musician Machine mixed the recordings at The Machine Shop Recording Studios in Belleville, New Jersey. Alan Douches mastered the album at West West Side Music in New York City.[6] In between recording sessions, Caruana reunited with his previous band the Movielife for a series of performances between May and August 2011.[5]

Composition and lyrics

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Musically, the sound of the Avalanche United explores melodic hardcore and punk rock.[7][8] Discussing the album title, Caruana said that it "stands for the band, family, friends and fans – one big gang."[2] Caruana wrote the lyrics and guitarist Mike Ireland wrote the music for "Holy Fuck", "Amsterdam", "I'll Be Back Around" and "Gratitude"; Caruana wrote the music for the remaining songs. Anthony Raneri of Bayside arranged "I'll Be Back Around" and "Dead Friends".[6] Caruana's voice emulated the vocal style he used on The Movielife's This Time Next Year (2000).[9]

The opening track "Holy Fuck" is an aggressive pop punk song about Caruana's divorce.[10][11] The next songs, "Brooklyn Dodgers" and "Amsterdam" come across as a mix between the Gaslight Anthem and the Ramones.[10] "Brooklyn Dodgers" is dedicated to what Caruana dubbed the "real New York". Caruana wrote it in an apartment he shared with bassist Kellen Robson in Queens, New York. "Amsterdam" tells of the band's experiences in the Netherlands while being on drugs. "I'll Be Back Around" sees Caruana dealing with anxiety disorder. "Is This Really Happening?" is Caruana's first love song, and is followed by "This One's on Me", a drinking song. "Dead Friends" is about dying young and not living life to its fullest potential.[11]

Caruana said "You've Got Spiders" was written about "little weasels who try to scratch their way into our lives". "The Grave Digger's Argument" is about a gravedigger coming to terms that the only way to be rid of his wife is to bury her in his backyard.[11] It recalled the work of Lifetime, and features a vocal appearance from Raneri.[11][8] "Casey's Song" is about Caruana's friend of the same name who commands large boats. With "The Place You Love is Gone", Caruana said: "We, as people, take everything for granted. ... Sometimes a life-changing thing will happen and wake you up." "Gratitude" is dedicated to the band's fans, family members and friends for their support.[11] The song ends with a group chant of the album's title.[8]

Release

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"Holy Fuck" was made available for streaming on August 22, 2011, and released as a single the following day.[12][13] On September 7, the track listing for Avalanche United was posted online.[14] "Brooklyn Dodgers" was made available for streaming on September 12 and released as a single the following day. The song was available for free download through the band's Facebook page.[15][16] "Amsterdam" was made available for streaming on September 28.[17] Avalanche United was made available for streaming on October 6, before being released in the US on October 11, through I Surrender Records.[18] The album was released by different labels in other countries: 3Wise Records in Australia, Kick Rock Invasion in Japan and Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK.[19][20][21] The Australian and Japanese versions included the bonus track "Summer's Back Again", while the iTunes edition included the bonus track "Conan O'Brien".[19][20][22] The artwork was done by Timmy Brothers, with photography from Julian Gilbert.[6]

In October and November, the band supported Saves the Day and Bayside on their co-headlining US tour.[23] To coincide with the tour, the four groups each contributed one track to a four-way split single. I Am the Avalanche's contribution was "Holy Fuck".[24] On November 15, the music video for "Brooklyn Dodgers" was released.[25] The video sees the band traveling through their hometown of Brooklyn, New York.[26] The following month, the band embarked on a headlining UK tour, with support from Hostage Calm and Apologies, I Have None.[27] In January 2012, the band played a few east coast shows with support from Balance and Composure, before touring the UK with Brand New in the following month.[28][29] In March, the band toured the US with Hostage Calm and Banquets.[30] The band had planned to embark on a two-week European tour in April, however, it was canceled because of unforeseen circumstances.[31] The band appeared on the 2012 Warped Tour, played a few headlining shows, and supported MxPx.[32][33]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic85/100[34]
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk90%[8]
Blare[7]
Dead Press![10]
Ox-Fanzine[35]
Punknews.org[9]
Rock Sound8/10[36]

Avalanche United met with generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 85, based on four reviews.[34]

Dead Press! reviewer Gary Cassidy felt that Avalanche United was a perfect title for the album: "this band seem tighter than ever, the backing vocals are immaculate, the drum beats set the rhythm perfectly, [and] the guitar riffs are just beautifully melodic and catchy". The album's tempo was "very controlled, but the energy and emotion can’t be questioned ... this is nostalgic and meaningful punk."[10] AbsolutePunk staff member Drew Beringer wrote that the songs never take the "foot off the pedal", and the record contains "a heaviness that wasn't as prevalent" on their debut album.[8]

Punknews.org's Rich Cocksedge liked Caruana's lyricism, calling it "insightful and interesting". He added that with a "sound that has got a strong basis in punk but with massive doses of melody," the album came across as "quite an impressive ... [and] really pleasing surprise to boot".[9] Emily Kearns of Rock Sound wrote the band delivered "a fiery, honest and raw state of affairs as [Caruana] confronts his demons".[36] Ox-Fanzine writer Thomas Eberhardt said the band "desperately belong in the pub and gutter vocabulary of the big city music lover". He added that the music is a "combination of street punk songs and hardcore attitude".[35] Blare's Joshua Khan wrote that the band "power[ed] through melodic hardcore bursts with sweat, tears and emotion running down their face".[7]

Blare ranked Avalanche United as the 42nd best album in their top 50 albums of the year list.[37]

Track listing

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All lyrics by Vinnie Caruana. All recordings produced by Brett Romnes.[6]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Holy Fuck"Mike Ireland2:58
2."Brooklyn Dodgers"Vinnie Caruana3:06
3."Amsterdam"Ireland2:59
4."I'll Be Back Around"Ireland2:34
5."Is This Really Happening?"Caruana3:08
6."This One's on Me"Caruana2:32
7."Dead Friends"Caruana3:49
8."You've Got Spiders"Caruana2:23
9."The Gravedigger's Argument" (feat. Anthony Raneri)Caruana2:05
10."Casey's Song"Caruana3:22
11."The Place You Love Is Gone"Caruana2:45
12."Gratitude"Ireland3:57
Total length:35:38

Personnel

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Personnel per booklet.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Mason, Stewart. "I Am the Avalanche Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Khan, Joshua (September 8, 2011). "Interview: I Am The Avalanche". Blare. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  3. ^ Kelham, Andrew (August 22, 2011). "Exclusive First Play: I Am The Avalanche - Features". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  4. ^ Gomez, Adrian (October 28, 2011). "Creative control helps Avalanche get a rolling start". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Pettigrew, Jason (July 7, 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Vinnie Caruana on the end of the Movielife and the return of I Am The Avalanche". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Avalanche United (booklet). I Am the Avalanche. Xtra Mile/I Surrender Records. 2011. XMR051CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ a b c Khan, Joshua (October 10, 2011). "Review: I Am The Avalanche – Avalanche United". Blare. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e Beringer, Drew (October 11, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Cocksedge, Rich (October 6, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d Cassidy, Gary (October 11, 2011). "Album: I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United". Dead Press!. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e Kelham, Andrew (October 4, 2011). "Track By Track: I Am The Avalanche Avalanche United - Features". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  12. ^ Kraus, Brian (August 22, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche release new song". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  13. ^ "Holy F**k - Single by I Am the Avalanche". iTunes. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  14. ^ Bird, Michele (September 7, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche reveal tracklisting for Avalanche United". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  15. ^ Kraus, Brian (September 12, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche streaming 'Brooklyn Dodgers'". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  16. ^ "Brooklyn Dodgers - Single by I Am the Avalanche". iTunes. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  17. ^ "Exclusive Stream: I Am The Avalanche's 'Amsterdam'". Alternative Press. September 28, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  18. ^ "Exclusive Album Stream: I Am The Avalanche's Avalanche United". Alternative Press. October 6, 2011. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Avalanche United (sleeve). I Am the Avalanche. 3Wise Records. 2011. 3WR018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ a b Avalanche United (sleeve). I Am the Avalanche. Kick Rock Invasion. 2011. EKRM-1203.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Avalanche United (sleeve). I Am the Avalanche. Xtra Mile/I Surrender Records. 2011. XMR051CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ "Avalanche United by I Am the Avalanche". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  23. ^ Heisel, Scott (August 11, 2011). "Saves The Day/Bayside co-headlining tour announced; I Am The Avalanche and Transit to open". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  24. ^ Zaleski, Annie (September 29, 2011). "Exclusive: Rise Records releases four-way 7-inch featuring Saves The Day, Transit, Bayside, more". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  25. ^ Yancey, Bryne (November 15, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche release music video for 'Brooklyn Dodgers'". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  26. ^ Legaspi, Althea (November 15, 2011). "New Video: I Am The Avalanche, 'Brooklyn Dodgers'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  27. ^ "Exclusive: I Am The Avalanche Announce December UK Dates". Rock Sound. September 19, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  28. ^ Yancey, Bryne (November 21, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche announce three shows with Balance And Composure". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  29. ^ "Live And Loud: I Am The Avalanche - Photos". Rock Sound. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  30. ^ McKinley, Alyssa (April 7, 2012). "I Am the Avalanche unites fans in Upstate NY on their headlining tour". idobi. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  31. ^ Redrup, Zach (April 12, 2012). "News: I Am The Avalanche forced to cancel their April UK/European tour!". Dead Press!. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  32. ^ Yancey, Bryne (February 1, 2012). "I Am The Avalanche, Tonight Alive, For Today among those added to Warped Tour 2012". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  33. ^ Yancey, Bryne (April 13, 2012). "I Am The Avalanche to play MxPx anniversary shows, Warped Tour warm-ups". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Avalanche Untied by I Am The Avalanche Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  35. ^ a b Eberhardt, Thomas (December 2011 – January 2012). "Reviews: I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  36. ^ a b Kearns, Emily (October 15, 2011). "I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United - Reviews". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  37. ^ "Blare's Top 50 Albums of 2011". Blare. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
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