Rebekah Lowden:
Her guitar playing (just about the best I've heard anywhere) utilizes a blend of classical, Flamenco and folk pop, creatively woven together into a fusion that works beautifully with her lyrics. There is thoughtful detail as well as a good dose of energy in her flawlessly executed music. Her lyrics are carefully crafted and meaningful, filled with crisp, evocative images. Her singing powerfully conveyed the emotional qualities of her songs.
Rhythm & News magazine
Michael Jurkovic
Will the family, friends, and fans of Helen Avakian please swear in a blood compact to send copies of "Vanishing Point" everywhere. I mean, radio stations, record labels, VH-l, the press, Web sites, hairdressers, sympathetic extremist groups, etc. It's a scattershot promo plan, I know, but if enough copies get sent out, someone who knows someone's mistress will listen up and get the girl heard at the next level.
Avakian deserves to travel in the same circle as Patti Larkins and Dar and Lucinda Williams. There's a courageously idiosyncratic sound at work here, creating a wann, lacy realm of reality and romance that carries you far away from the calculations and manifestations of today's pop music machine.
Many of the songs on "Vanishing Point" will be familiar to the faithful, but they are heard anew with a tangible lushness. Largely due to Helen's artistic evolution -- her nimble and intelligent guitar and detail to craft continue to astonish -- as well as co-producer/multi- instrumentalist Scott Petito, who has produced what I believe to be one of the finest sounding discs to ever come from the Hudson Valley. Hushed when called for (the lustrous and evocative "Christmas Tree," "Drifting Days"); inventive arranging and production ("Carrie," "On The Verge," "Vanishing Point"), allows Avakian the full palette she needs to explore her muse from "Vows" and "If You Only Knew" to "The Jimmy Page Jig," a playful celtic tribute to Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page.
Helen's done a great job. Now getting the word out to the rest of the planet is up to us. C'mon, let's get going! We haven't a moment to lose.
THE MISTLETOE BLUES - ON VIDEO!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EogCqgmZSs
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