Avalon - Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics

Another time, another album, please

Oh, Avalon, what happened?

I have purchased every Avalon album since the debut album - save for "Maze of Grace," which wasn't available in my country, and owning a copy now seems superfluous - and loved most of them, above all "Oxygen," my favorite Contemporary Christian album of all time. I would've defended Avalon to the teeth, including this release, were it not for the sheer fact that this album bored me to tears.

As timeless Christian classics go, I've only heard of three songs on "Another Time, Another Place," so I listen to the rest of it tabula rasa. I was truly looking forward to "Place in This World," the song that opened my eyes to Christianity. To my surprise, Greg, Janna, Jody, and Melissa swap verses and choruses, which jars the melodic flow, IMHO (male sings verse, female sings chorus? Why not just sing straight into it, or make PITW a full male-sung song?) I was expecting blow-me-away harmonies and instrumentation, and didn't get it, which was a let-down.

As another Amazon reviewer notes, the electronic beats on "El Shaddai" are indeed disconcerting and distracting. For me, the greatest disservice was done to "Testify To Love." Michael Passons has set a bar so high up that one honestly cannot expect Greg Long to match. Jody tries gamely to fill in the gap, but the exquisite vocal harmonies that characterized the classic TtL are not present here (a solo female voice on "for as along as I shall live, I'll testify, testify, all my life I'll testify..."? That section screams for sing-along harmonies! The TtL version on "Testify to Love" greatest hits compilation featuring the Katinas was a million miles better!). The end result is a half-baked concoction that does not match the exuberance, joy, and power of the original. It breaks my heart that Avalon cannot meet the standards it has set for itself with this revival of their own hit.

(As an aside, I respectfully disagree with one reviewer on "Stand." I think "Stand" stands to be one of Avalon's more noteworthy albums precisely because it signified their intention to try something new. If "Another Time, Another Place" is supposed to be a return-to-form of sorts, I'd much rather prefer the rockier Avalon. What is "new" with this album? Another set of revivals? As if "Faith" didn't already do that.)

Thankfully, there are a few shining gems on this album, most courtesy of ever-brilliant Jody McBrayer. His beautiful voice shines brightest on "El Shaddai" (which makes it all the more annoying that the phony electronica beats water down the simple gorgeousness of this song!). Melissa and Janna rip the roof off on "God is In Control." "People Need the Lord," "Solid As the Rock," and "Friend of a Wounded Heart" are also worth mentioning due to the exquisite vocal work present here.

As another aside, Shaun Shankel, album producer, did a spectacular job on Mandisa's "True Beauty." This album, not so much. We know he is capable of magic, and I think he can still pull it off, if Sparrow gets him for Avalon's next project.

I am used to the high standards that Avalon has set for itself. "Love Won't Leave You" was Avalon's last Top 20 CCM hit; since then, it's been tough pickings on any CCM chart. I wouldn't say CCM radio, AC or Inspo, has outgrown the group; I would say that the material has been largely substandard. This album is so sub-standard that the record label would not even give me PHOTOS with my CD booklet! I buy an Avalon album and I don't get a single photo of the group?? COME ON!

Get these guys back in the studio, hook them up with some current songwriters whose sound matches the sound the group really wants to achieve - you want rock, go to Mac Powell, Lincoln Brewster or Jeremy Camp, you want updated Europop, talk to Peter Furler, or go experiment with Southern gospel like you did with "I'll Fly Away" and come up with something amazing with David Mullen at the helm, or make a live worship album, since it seems to be the last territory of CCM the group hasn't delved into yet - and make an album that will make people sit up and take notice.

I don't expect to get good reviews with this review. It's the first negative review I've ever written, and it pains me immensely to write it. I only hope that the passion with which I love Avalon will lead other fans to forgive me for what I wrote, and know that I join them in eagerly awaiting the next studio album, which I pray will be THE album that will make me proud to be an Avalonian. September 30, 2008

Getting Back On Track

After the truly awful 'Stand' and 'The Creed', I didn't have too high hopes for this recent release from Avalon. Thankfully the tendency to over sing songs and the heavy handed, rock orientated production that marred these previous two releases has been toned down a little.

Although I miss the sparkle of albums such as their 2001 'Oxygen' release, there are some good songs here that are worthy of a mention. These include the title track, 'Place In The World' and ' Thy Word'.

A reworking of one of their biggest hits 'Testify To Love' does seem a little pointless and hints that this talented foursome may be running out of fresh ideas. August 18, 2008

Refreshing Yet Faithful Renditions of Beloved Classics.

Any misconceptions or apprehensions I had about Avalon's renditions of some of my beloved Christians classics were quickly dismissed as soon as the first song played on this CD. Avalon lend their great harmony and talent to make these songs sound refreshing and beautiful, yet still faithful to the original composition. There are no disappointments on this album; it was even fun to hear on of their own classic song "Testify to Love" redone.

My favorites: God is in Control, Solid as A Rock, and Another Time-Another Place.

I haven't pursued to check out the "bonus" portion on the CD yet on my computer, so I cannot comment on that part. Other than that, Avalon did a beautiful job with this album.



August 16, 2008

Great updates of classics

As usual Avalon hits its mark. The harmonies are tight and each song showcases some aspect of their collective talents. Either I was reacquainted with songs from the past (Place in this World, For the Sake of the Call) or I was introduced to songs that I missed the first time they were hits (Addictive Love, The Basics of Life). The messages of these songs are outstanding and delivered with heartfelt emotion. The classic song that should have been added due to its impact early on in the "Jesus movement" was Easter Song. That song is tailor-made for their voices!

This is a 4 out of 5 stars for the bonus content. I know some people like the whole "enhanced cd" marketing, but I don't like having to put myself on a database just to access the hidden treasures. I wish they could have just put "Praise the Lord" on the album instead of making you jump through hoops to get to it. I am still getting spam from yungsemaj.com as a result of trying to access that song and it has been months. June 27, 2008

Still testifying to love

Another Time, Another Place by Avalon is a good way to revisit some of the greatest Christian songs of all time. "We Will Stand," "Friend of a Wounded Heart," "El Shaddai" and others can easily be regarded as some of the most memorable and enduring compositions ever performed by Christian artists. Here they are interpreted for a new generation by one of Christian music's premier vocal groups.

Those familiar with the songs may be surprised at how revved-up they sound. Some have a rock edge like "For the Sake of the Call," which actually sounds better than the original. Modern production and arrangements have revitalized the songs so that they are not as sleepy as the originals might sound to today's generation.

None of this should be taken to mean that the songs are significantly different. The excellent "People Get Ready" has the same strong gospel vibe. "We Will Stand," another highlight, features guest vocals by Russ Taff and a choir. "People Need the Lord" is as beautiful as ever. "Place in This World" is still moving after all these years. It's also great to have a new version of "Friend of a Wounded Heart," a Wayne Watson song that is probably underrated.

Most arrangements work well. Two possible exceptions are "Thy Word" and "El Shaddai," which are more experimental in the hopes of making these familiar songs sound fresh. Some may find the prominent programmed percussion on "El Shaddai" bothersome. "Thy Word" is better with a loop that is more subdued.

Sadly, due to a heart condition and a recent vocal ailment, this will be the last recording to feature Jody McBrayer, one of the original founders of the group. Jeremi Richardson has taken his place. Janna Long, the last original member of the group, said that the group has no plans to disband, "We will continue to move forward in our ministry as long as God opens doors for us to do so."

The last track is an update of the group's signature song, "Testify to Love." It's a fitting conclusion, and it may be the best track on the recording.

They still have strong voices, excellent harmonizing, intricate arrangements and a modern pop sound. When you combine that with the group's strong ministry focus, there's a lot more testifying that they can do.
June 23, 2008

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