16th May, 2006

JUSTIN MICHAEL   

Artist: Audio Adrenaline
Album: Until My Heart Caves In

Label: Forefront, 2005

Enhanced content: No

In A Word: Grinnin'-Rock-Preachin'

"For me, 2004’s 'Worldwide' was the kicker and while 'Heart Caves In' is not quite as good, it runs a very close second. It’s passionate, it’s raw, it’s real and it's rock."

With 15 years of music behind them, ranging from the initial efforts of white boy hip-hop (think ‘we need some P...D...A!’), and rap core (‘My God died on the cross...BUT HE LIVES’) to the straight-up rock 'n roll that they’re so good at, it’s been a great journey. But it's about to come to end. In January '06, lead singer Mark Stuart has had to call it quits after medical advice meant he could no longer sing at the same ‘rock 'n roll’ level he had been for years.

Stuart said: "Fifteen years of rock 'n roll takes a toll on the vocal chords, but I wouldn't trade a day of it for anything. Touring and making records with Will, Ben and Tyler has truly been a gift from God, as well as worshipping night after night with the greatest fans on the planet."

This year (2006) will see two new albums including a greatest hits album with two new tunes and a bunch of live cuts on an album titled Adios.

The release in late 2005 of Until My Heart Caves In is, presumably, the boys' last full studio effort of new stuff and once again you can see a clear audio picture of the boys' passion for mission, joie de vie and general rockability.

From the opening cut that simply keeps telling ‘Everybody, c’mon, clap your hands!’ while overlaid with the double-time groove and plenty of guitar riffs to play in your bedroom, the mood is set. Until My Heart Caves In would be at home among any pub rock crowd with its tic-tac guitar and bold statement: "I’m a warrior, and I’d die for You; my love is fierce; I’d die for You".

Throw in the radio hit King, a very comfortably-fitted rock version of the Jackie Wilson classic Your Love Keeps Lifting Me presumably with a typically AudioA heavenly aim and a close sonic reference to Leaving 99 in Starting Over and you’ve got an album of remarkably fresh and original tracks.

I’ve not always been a fan of AudioA albums. For me, 2004’s Worldwide was the kicker and while Heart Caves In is not quite as good, it runs a very close second. It’s passionate, it’s raw, it’s real and it's rock.

What more could you want? Note that when Third Day toured Oz in 2005, it was AudioA who stole the show. Us Aussies do love our rock.

Justin Michael can be heard weekday mornings on Geelong-based radio station 96.3 - www.rhemafm.org.au.