Avalon to Release Seventh Studio Album 'Stand' on Jan. 24
Christian music’s signature pop-vocal quartet Avalon is readying its seventh studio project, Stand – a joyful, enthusiastic expression of renewal and affirmation – which is set to release Jan. 24.
Christian music’s signature pop-vocal quartet Avalon is readying its seventh studio project, Stand – a joyful, enthusiastic expression of renewal and affirmation – which is set to release Jan. 24.
The follow-up to 2004’s The Creed, which featured a powerful polyphonic rendition of the Apostle’s Creed as its title track, Stand is a much lighter album, reflective of the “pure and simple joy” Avalon has experienced in their recent years together – a time that included band members Jody McBrayer and Janna and Greg Long welcoming their firstborn into their families.
“Overall, the theme of this record is that pure and simple joy,” Greg says. “Over the past three years, we’ve all been through a lot, but now the transition is done. We’re all here now. There’s a history here. And we’re all encouraged and excited about finding our way together. We’ve experienced one of the most joyful things you can experience in this life – two babies being born. And so it’s like Melissa says, ‘Joy has come in the morning.’ It’s morning. It’s spring. The songs are a definite testament to where we’re standing now.”
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With this record, Jody says, “We were ready to let our hair down a little bit. The Creed was a little more serious, and, though we’re serious about the message of every song on Stand, we were just ready to have some fun. … I think even though we love a great ballad, and that’s sort of what Avalon is known for, we’re also known for great up tempo stuff, high-energy stuff, and that creative energy and passion is something that we really wanted to bring back.”
Produced by Shaun Shankel, Bernie Herms and Mark Hammond, Stand features ten unforgettable and compelling songs, including the title track Stand, which is a stunning remake of the classic “We Will Stand.”
The original writers of the song, Russ and Tori Taff and James Hollihan, agreed to write a new bridge for the cover, with Russ also lending his singing talent as a guest vocalist on the track.
“It’s so interesting to hear this song after, what, 20 plus years since it was written and to see how even more timely it is even now,” Greg says. “That is one of the great things about Christian music in general. Beyond Avalon, beyond Christian music, we’re beginning to see glimpses of the kind of unity ‘We Will Stand’ sings of, we can see it happening in the church. I think you’re seeing the walls come down and people reaching out to help and to love one another. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was such a great testament to that. Thank God! We’re just happy to be a part of that.”
Stand’s first single “Love Won’t Leave You” can currently be heard on radio stations nationwide.
For more information about Avalon, or to pre-order an autographed copy of Stand, visit www.avalonlive.
