With catchy hooks and ready-for-radio melodies, it is no wonder that popular Beantown-based indie band Averi-comprised of vocalist Chad Perrone, guitarist Stuart Berk, bassist Chris Tilden, saxophonist Michael Currier and drummer Matt Lydon-was nominated for four Boston Music Awards this year. The band's mix of pop and rock is reminiscent of acts like the All-American Rejects and Hanson, and its latest independently released disc, Drawn to Revolving Doors, reflects the pop-indie sound that is slowly but surely becoming mainstream.
Averi's large Boston fan base has given the band enough credibility (which has been earned by sharing bills with the Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty and Gavin DeGraw) to headline an all-ages show at Avalon this Saturday. The performance is being recorded onto two discs by InstantLive for immediate purchase after the show.
Drawn to Revolving Doors is a powerful compilation of upbeat melodies and heavy ballads; no two tracks sound exactly the same, which is a positive for the band. The songs all flow together, keeping the listener wanting more, even with a hearty 14 cuts on the album.
During Drawn to Revolving Doors' six-month recording process, Averi enlisted the help of producer Scott Riebling (Letters to Cleo, American Hi-Fi). Revolving Doors' resulting harmonies and powerful, contemplative ballads help to shake up an album that otherwise might have been lacking spark.
The opening track on Revolving Doors, "For Better or Worse," immediately pulls the listener into the radio-friendly world of Averi. Perrone sings "this is me now / for better or worse / the person I was is now just someone that you've heard of" with gusto and heart. Standouts on the album include the saxophone-infused "The Brighter Side" and "Harwich," a tribute to the Cape Cod town.
Other songs like "The Way We Go Out" and "Everything With You" are perfect upbeat downloads for your iPod that you can listen to while walking through the Public Garden.
Insightful lyrics on everything relating to identity, love and relationships fuel this record. The symbolic "Mouth Full of Sand," with the lines "like a pilgrim in the desert, I'm diving into air / Thinking there's water but nothing's there," capture the depth present in Averi's lyrics.
One such track, the acoustic closer "Goodnight, Goodbye," details just how hard it is to say those words to someone. The emotionally driven and heartfelt lyrics-"so sleep, if your tired eyes are closing / don't be afraid anymore"-show that Averi has a deeper side as well. With a complete balance of pop/rock goodness and emotional lyrics, Averi's Revolving Doors is worth a listen for its quality independent production.
Averi will perform at the Avalon, 15 Lansdowne St., this Sat., Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., with special guests Bleu and The Alternate Routes. Tickets are $15.25 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 617-228-6000. More information about the band is available at www.averimusic.com.