Diandra Reviews It All

Is it weird to say that an artist is swoon-worthy? I often stay away from those kinds of terms out of fear/respect that an artist might think that I’m degrading their music into romance fodder/ fantasies. Moreover, I owe respect to an artist that has played for, literally, two of my favorite bands, TAME IMPALA! and Pond. Yes, Cameron Avery, for a making a debut as a solo artist, already has legendary music career, at least, for fans of psychedelic rock. Thus, I was both surprised and impressed by swashbuckling-suave aura that magnetized his stage appeal at Baby’s All Right.

Cameron Avery – “Wasted On Fidelity”

Wasted On Fidelity

Cameron was playing music from his newest album, Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams. In concert, the bluesy, swindling lyricism of this record leaps out to the audience to intoxicate them more than their beers have already. I firmly believe that music can be a drug, and psychologically it shares certain high-inducing affects. Avery’s music and style brings about the drug like effect of ease. Similar to other mysterious crooners that play to the love and lostness of like, like Elliot Smith, Avery’s voice feels roughened, as if every vocal annotation or coo he makes is an emblem of the rocks that have made him stumble on his spiritual road. Such an emotive vocalist loosens you into a moment where you want to breathe in songs such as “Big Town Girl” and “Dance With Me” like they are whiskey- infused. It makes sense that Cameron’s music, especially in concert, with give off a melancholic vibe of being “drunk on love”. First because Cameron’s music is all about the moments and relationships that take us out of who we are and make us someone new such as “Wasted On Fidelity” and “Do You Know Me by Heart?”. This new version of ourselves can be better or worse version of you, but the point is that it is different. Hence, the bluesy haze Cameron’s performance comes from the feeling that he is playing to the lovers and friends that helped him discover he had a heart either by breaking it or making it beat.

Cameron Avery – “Dance With Me”

Dance With Me

There is both a wall and a warmth to Cameron Avery. He may smile and friendly quip with the crowd but ,once that song begins, it is like a magical wall invisibly builds. Cameron sings and places himself in the presence of his music so much that each song comes off like motion capture from a film. It is as if you’re watching a reel spin before you and though initially you think you were just seeing a man perform, as the song/reel continues, you realize you are watching a life be discovered/displayed. Through a bluesy-rock guitar, the pain and promise that goes into Avery’s music is elaborated. It is a true gift to have such a presence/ talent in concert that meeting you makes your music feel more valuable. It as if his studio album is only a sliver of the beauty his music shows in concert. Thus, go out and get Cameron Avery’s impressive album so that when you see him in concert you can be amazed at how much a good song can be made great when it is played live. For more information on Cameron Avery And To Buy Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams Click Here.

Cameron Avery – “C’est Toi”

C’est Toi