“The AV Club’s debut album features songs about “love, divorce, devotion, obsession, social alcoholism, secret lust, getting old, the romantic implications of public transit, and the destruction of an abstinence pledge at the hands of a girl in desperate need of a dye job”. It’s the kind of release we rarely receive here at Now Wave — no doubt due to our less-than-embracing stance on “indie” rock. But if all indie rock sounded like this, we’d gladly review more of it! How refreshing it is to hear a band that’s so completely about songs.

Alt-rock trio The AV Club doesn’t hide behind a pretty-boy image or breakneck tempos or a lengthy list of too-cool influences. It’s all about melody and voice and lyrics, and the craft of putting it all together into songs that are both tuneful and deeply moving. AV Club singer/guitarist Aaron Carr is a remarkably talented songwriter. His melodies memorable and infectious, his voice warm and engaging, his lyrics clever and poignant. In tandem with an absolutely terrific rhythm section (hard-hitting drummer Jens Guettel, rock-solid bassist Jon Moser), he delivers a delightful mix of punchy rockers and beautiful, aching ballads. If you need familiar reference points, Buffalo Tom, Wilco, later Replacements, and Soul Asylum will get you in the ballpark. And while the more upbeat numbers are swell, I’m especially fond of the tracks that capture the sadness, confusion, and bittersweet nature of adult love. Listening to “Degrees of Grey”, it’s easy to imagine the AV Club as the band playing in a lost My So Called Life episode — the pretty, melancholic music playing over scenes of Angela sitting outside crying while Jordan Catalano sucks the face of some airheaded floozy in the back of the club. But although this band sounds so very ‘93-’95 alt-rock that it’s impossible to believe that Winona Ryder hasn’t attempted to go to bed with all three members, there’s nothing dated or retro about these songs. This is music that does not go out of style — unaffected, well-constructed pop/rock songs with great lyrics and melodies to die for. “Trouble Girls” and “Girl From Mars” are two of the year’s catchiest songs. And if I ruled the world, any radio programmer who passed on “Lost My Head” or “Fall Down” would be fired, beaten, and possibly deported.

The AV Club is the kind of album where you’re constantly saying, “Oh, I like this song!” and “Wait, I love this one too!” Every time I play it, a different song stands out and sounds to me like the “hit”. But this is truly a disc chock full of hits. It’s no duds, all gems. This is music I love to listen while I’m driving late at night or sitting alone with a beer in my hand, thinking about life. And while I hate to overuse superlatives like “album of the year”, I’d be hard-pressed to name a record I’ve liked better than this one in 2006. What a great first album, and I cannot wait for the next one. These guys BETTER not break up!”

Instrumentation

• Aaron Carr – guitar and lead vocals
• Jon Moser – bass and harmonies
• Jens Guettel – drums and faces

Discography
The AV Club – The AV Club released on Insubordination Records. We have several tracks coming out on tribute records next year as well as our second full length.

1. Not Your Heart

2. Girl From Mars

3. Put It Down

4. Without You

5. Ear to the Speaker

6. Everybody Sees My Love