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Review Summary: Deaf Havana show their potential with an album loaded with fantastic songs. Deaf Havana’s debut E.P, ‘Its Called The Easy Life’, was fervently well received by the British music press, their exciting blend of southern rock swagger and some captivating melodies cementing their status as an rousing future prospect.
Full length ’Meet Me Halfway At Least’ goes along way in reinforcing this repute. From the off, it is apparent that the band have altered their sound slightly, edging out the fiery riff work to a certain extent in favour of a more subtle and understated guitar style, allowing the vocal work to take precedence as the predominant feature. Although, that is not to say that there is an absence of stirring guitar work. First single, and album highlight, ‘Friends Like These’ features a main riff which grooves and bounces with a with a self assured strut, and opener ‘This Town Is Ours’ adds some sparkling lead lines which delicately attach a further melodious element to a song already brimming with infectious hooks.
There is no doubt that the vocal work is the releases outstanding attribute. The juxtaposition of front man Ryan Mellor’s rasping, yet remarkably clear and comprehensible scream and guitarist James Veck Gilodi beautifully soaring cleans work together impeccably as the pair trade lines with fluidity, bringing to mind the Pettit/Green partnership of Alexisonfire. Indeed, for the most part, the discs exceptional moments are sections in which Gilodi is allowed to take charge, demonstrating how his voice truly excels, such as in the opening minute of ‘Nicotine And Alcohol Saved My Life’ and the soothing breakdown in ‘3 Cheers For The Easy Life’ which are stunning in there elegant serenity and soothing composition. It is also vital to mention the anthemic chorus of the previously mentioned ‘Friends Like These’, which is indisputably contagious and guaranteed to get any listener humming along.
The drumming is surprisingly technical and aggressive, with sticksman Tom Ogden providing a rather unexpectedly forceful performance which really does compliment some of the more driving songs on the album, not to least the exuberance ‘Another Day In This House’ which despite the abundance of melodic application throughout rattles along at a furious pace, replete with some rolling double bass fills and a vicious attacking of the snare. It is refreshing to hear a drummer take the reigns and show his dexterity in a collection of tracks which are principally exercises in song - smithery, not individual excellence, and the fact that this raging percussion does not seem out of place is a testament to Ogden’s talent.
Deaf Havana really have crafted an outstanding first album. Although it may appear to many that the band are revelling in an already overdone formula, a closer listen will reveal a huge deal of originality and an exciting capability, as they inject their songs with a youthful, energetic atmosphere whilst retaining a great sense of musicality and sincerity, and more importantly an accomplished song writing ability which is all too lacking in many up and coming outfits today.
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Album Rating: 4.0
Dunno if anyone on Sputnik has heard of these guys, but they are pretty awesome imo.
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You spelled potential wrong. Fix that and space it out better and maybe I will pos
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Do not use a dictionary, just know how to use the english language you prick. And if spelt one word incorrectly, I apologise Mr.Superior. Jesus Christ...
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
urgh
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Ha, brilliant. If people want to comment on a review I worked hard on, being hostile and just dismissing it because I spelt one word wrong or use words that are unfamiliar to them, then fine, but don't expect me to just accept pointlessly unfriendly comments with anything less than what you gave me. I'm not trying to be superior or better than everyone, this is genuinely the way I write. I was quite proud of the review, but hey-ho...
P.S. I did upload the album art dude, but it has vanished for some reason.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Ok man, no worries. I was hilariously drunk when I wrote that haha, I probably would not have been so enraged if I had saw the comments at any other time. I see you gave the album a 4 also, good call.
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pretty good album, prefer the ep though
seeing these guys tomorrow for free too
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band sux ass
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I saw these guys live yesterday, they have lost their screamer so Gilodi handles all the vocals now. Sounded awesome.
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It sounded terrible imo.
None of the older stuff = fuck off.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I thought this album was really really good for a debut, very promising
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Good album, shame they're left with only the clean vocalist now though.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Awesome album! They are a local band to me ; )
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Reminiscent of Alexisonfire, The Blackout & We Are The Ocean, English quintet Deaf Havana rely heavily on their dual vocal attack on debut LP 'Meet Me Halfway, At Least'. Fusing aggressive screams & soaring clean vocals, the highlights are those where James Veck-Gilodi delivers anthemically catchy choruses. The song-writing is solid & the musicianship is accomplished, with the drumming especially impressive. The formula gets a little tiring towards the end as the LP is front-loaded, but ultimately this is fun, energetic & consistently enjoyable. Recommended Tracks: This Town Is Ours, 3 Cheers For The Easy Life, Another Day In This House & Friends Like These.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
band and album are pretty damn good
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Quite late discovery for me, but an amazing band.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Friends Like These goes so hard.
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Whole album still rules.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
this still bangs hard. 3 cheers for the easy life is fantastic
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Opened a gig for these guys on this album. Friends Like These is still a jam.
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