ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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Draven
EDEN CNR RECORDS 4.5.09 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk Someone let the band into the sound techie’s sound effects box on this one, they’re all over the opening track ‘Blitz’ on Eden, the debut release from Draven. You get sounds of destruction, Native American chanting and a perfectly placed effect on the final track ‘Eden reprise’ but by then the novelty has worn off somewhat. Effects aren’t required as the music is more than capable of speaking for itself. It’s been described as ‘British by blood but Southern by riff’ but It’s taken me a while to come around to liking this album but it’s definitely worth spending the time to get to know it as it doesn’t release its true splendour freely. The inspiration for the album is a concept based on the tale of ‘Paradise Lost’ which depicting a perfect world descending into a cruelty and degradation but as the album kicks off with a track entitled ‘Blitz’ it’s not exactly a picturesque start to a concept album. ‘Blitz’ as a track is far too busy with its opening monologue and intrusive sound effects that distracts the listener from the musical ability on display. The real talent is revealed when you get to tracks like ‘Itchy finger’ (sadly more effects) and ‘Eden’. It’s here where Draven (the name taken from the Brandon Lee Character in the Crow) finally set out their stall and really deliver, which for some reason, reminds me of ‘lost in the 80s’ band, Dokken. There is an almost soft subtle sound to the music on tracks such as ‘Don’t Cut Yourself’ and ‘I Don’t Care’ that justifies the Southern riffing comparisons but the opening bars on ‘Fight’ reveal the bands ability to mix it up with a real rocker when required. The album then continues to its conclusion in the same easy, almost lazy rock vein with tracks like ‘Home’, ‘You Won’t Take Me Down Again’ and 'Breathe'. With the album sounding off to ‘Stranger’ and the comically timed sound bite at the end of proceedings on ‘Eden reprise’. It’s fantastically produced for a debut release but this is to be expect as it was recorded in LA with Kevin ‘Caveman’ Shirley who seems to have worked with all the big names . There seems to be a rather welcome glut of rock bands producing material these days , so much so that over exposure can merge tracks into one another but Draven are near the top of the pile and should develop into a class act if this worthy debut is anything to go by. www.dravenofficial.com |