Tim Barry: Rivanna Junction

Former front man to the punk/hardcore band Avail is taking part in the punk-turned-acoustic phenomenon. Tim Barry takes love ballads and adds a rough and tumble sound, and a painfully soothing voice to get the product of “Rivanna Junction.” Barry changes pace continuously, going from slow and steady to upbeat.

This album was released in November of 2006 on the label Suburban Home Records. His style resembles the late Johnny Cash as he brings southern comfort to his style of rock. His pain breaks out in songs like “Cardinal in Red Bed” and “Steel Road.” All of his lyrics are based around events that really happened, but Barry writes them in a way that anyone can connect to them. He writes songs about one night stands, and trains passing by. Tim Barry’s “Rivanna Junction” is lacking little, and that also includes profanity.

He opens up the album with a country flared punk song titled “Trash Inspirations.” Then anger settles in as he breaks out his song about a one night stand that he never wanted to end called “Avoiding Catatonic Surrender.” He talks about sorrow and regret that his one night stand had to end and that it ended being only that. Even though his pain shines through, he still seems to add a touch of humor to the situation.

Anger turns to sadness; a repeated theme throughout the album. You can’t get used to a rhythm for too long because before you know it, it will turn into another one. Tim Barry keeps the listener wondering what the next outrageous song is going to be about. He takes each track to a new level with a song even about killing a man and ending up in prison. With the storyline seeming so real, it’s hard to tell if Barry is telling a true story or just has a very vivid imagination.

This is currently Tim Barry’s only solo album, but he does have a DVD that was released in 2006 also. With Barry’s success on this album as well as the DVD, one can only hope for the best in time to come.