Answer My Call by Avenue: A Raw Punch of Alt-Rock Energy That Still Hits Hard
Alright, let’s cut the crap—Answer My Call isn’t your typical 2005 rock album. Avenue comes out swinging with a mix of grit, melody, and just enough pop sensibility to keep things interesting. Released under Third Monk Records, this US-born gem blends alternative rock vibes with hints of straight-up pop hooks that’ll either slap you in the face or leave you shrugging. Either way, it’s got teeth.
The lineup? Solid as hell. You’ve got Rachele Eve belting her lungs out on vocals while Mark Pilotto and Todd Schoeneman shred guitars like they’re running out of time. Jay McGlone holds down drums AND percussion (show-off), and Tom Stanley lays down basslines so thick you could carve ‘em into stone. It’s not perfect—but damn if it doesn’t feel alive.
Now, let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me after spinning this thing for days.
First up: "Hero." This one’s a punch-you-in-the-gut anthem dripping with attitude. The opening riff grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Rachele’s voice is raw here—like she means every word—and when the chorus hits, it feels like someone lit a match inside your skull. Lyrically, it’s nothing groundbreaking (“I’m no hero / Just trying to survive”), but man, does it hit hard. It’s the kind of song you crank loud when life feels like garbage and you need something real to scream along to.
Then there’s "Come Now Hope," which flips the script entirely. Where “Hero” is all fire and fury, this track slows things down without losing an ounce of intensity. The guitar work from Pilotto and Schoeneman shines here—clean yet edgy, layered perfectly against Eve’s haunting delivery. There’s a desperation in her tone that makes you sit up and pay attention. By the second verse, you start wondering how the same band pulled off both these moods so convincingly. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
Look, I ain’t saying Answer My Call reinvented rock music back in ’05. But what it lacks in polish, it more than makes up for in heart and guts. These guys weren’t chasing trends—they were too busy making noise their own way. And honestly? That’s refreshing as hell.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this now feels kinda bittersweet. Not because it’s dated or anything, but because bands like Avenue don’t seem to exist anymore. They weren’t polished superstars; they were just people pouring everything they had into their art. Maybe that’s why tracks like “Hero” still resonate—they remind us what real passion sounds like.
So yeah, check this album out if you want music that kicks ass instead of kissing it. Or don’t. Your loss.
