IT'S ONLY THE MOONLIGHT

When "That's Only The Moonlight" (the debut album of Aviv Geffen) came out in 1991, Aviv has made many controversies becuase of the lyrical content and statements that he stated on those years. Examples you can find in his attempts to cause rebellion of the teenagers against the government (he was also accused of being a deserter of his army service - which is an obligation in Israel - but the real reason he didn't served was cause of medical reasons), and scandalous quotes that attacked religious jews ("...Why religious people looks drugged..." - translated, from "Violence"). Once, he even said about his father, one of Israel's best poets - Jonathan Geffen, that "I am not he's son, he is the father of Aviv". With the addition of exaggerated make-up, weird dresses and provocative performance led Aviv & his band, The Mistakes to a very violent tour, when most of the shows ended - traghically - when they were stoned & booed off stage. Almost every record company refused to sign Aviv, saying the album wasn't musical enough, and doubted his skill in his attempt to translate Glam Rock to hebrew, and to protest & breaking a lot of sacred cows in the israeli society, such as the army. The only producer that believed in Aviv was the famous Moshe Levi (used to work with Shalom Hanoch, ex "Tamouz"), that recognized Aviv's talent, produced his debut album and continued to work with him later in his career. But although there was great hopes - the album wasn't successful at the first year, when he sold only 200 copies (a low number even in israeli measures).

"Moonlight" was unique at that time, when Geffen wrote all of the lyrics & composings - touching controversial like drugs, violence, sex, insubordination, the fight for peace and more. The album is in the space between israeli rock classics (such as "Billion Mistakers" & "The Moonlight") to hard, rugged rock songs with critical texts ("Where Do You Go", "Violence"), and even slow & melodic songs, based on keyboards & acoustic guitar ("We're Both Equal"). You can feel the influence of Moshe Levi which completes Aviv musically and the combination had produced great albums in the near future... In the album, Moshe Levi also helped by playing instruments.

In my opinion, the low of the album was the pretty amateurish sound, but like other examples - such as Radiohead, when their first album ("Pablo Honey") was also immature but had it's genius sparks from Thom Yorke, and later released well-produced & great masterpieces - it's the same about Aviv, that was only 18 when this record came out, and generally in the 38 minutes of the album there is a feeling that it's a too simple album, but still has it's classics that Aviv performing even nowadays. Maybe because of his young age, the attempt of success - no matter the price, and the race against all obstacles & odds, is felt and worked very good.

In 2001, ten years after "That's Only The Moonlight", Aviv brought up two special shows as a tribute for this album, when he performs a set of the first album's tracklist, and later continued with a set of other popular songs. It is ironic that Aviv, ten years after his breakthrough, still kept his sacred & enthusiastic crowd from his first years. Even though he used to be a "200-record" artist, and now he is double platinum. In this show, Aviv took the opportunity to perform with old friends such as Moshe Levi & Karin Offir (ex-girlfriend), which also took part of "Moonlight". When the show came to an end, Aviv said he want to thank to his crowd, which was known as "The Moonlight Children", that turned his sad & melancholic life to the amazing life he lives today, when he finishes the first set of "That's Only The Moonlight" and leaves the stage, with the applause of his loyal audience.

2.5 stars.