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Devlins Waves music review
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Devlins Waves
Nettwerk Records
The Devlins’ Waves (Nettwerk, 2005) are bringing a familiar sound back
to
the scene with a mellow
aftertaste.
Track listing:
01 Everything Comes Around
02 Sunrise
03 Careless Love
04 Someday
05 Lazarus
06 Don't Let It Break Your Heart
07 Feel It When You're Gone
08 Coming Alive
09 Headstrong
10 Waves
The band consists of two brothers, Colin (lead vocals/guitar) and Peter
(backing vocals/bass) who
create this forbearing group with modest and equally practical lyrics.
With a whisper of an intro followed by a sprinkling of keyboards, and a
domino effect of bass and
drums, "Everything Comes Around" is a positive, subtle welcoming track.
The
chorus, although a little
twangy, makes good use of normally understated cymbals. Colin seems to
resemble U2 frontman
Bono with more casual vocals and dynamic guitarwork that pulls through
just
enough. There is a sense
that its all isn’t being given-- it could be harder, more intensified
if
given the chance.
Highlight tracks are "Sunrise"-- proving the band’s potential with
webweaving guitar intricacy to catch the
singsong notes as they land-- and "Don’t Let It Break Your Heart"-- a
pull-me-closer bright dance tune
that greatly reflects Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers). Harmonies are
sweet and
occasionally laced with
that strangely reoccurring Texan-like twang and an electric guitar with
a
coinciding drawl of its own.
Momentarily towards the midway, there is an instance where The Devlins
hint
on George Michaels’
"Faith" intro with a Los Lonely Boys vocal take ("Someday") and then
tread
into a more light
contemporary feel comparing to Filter and Duncan Sheik’s "Barely
Breathing."
And it’s at this point that
the band seems to loosen their grasp on today’s present sound and fall
into
the gaping hole of the
90’s.
"Feel It When You’re Gone" contains traces of Pete Yorn, and it becomes
clear that The Devlins are a
slower-paced storytelling duo. A new-age Simon and Garfunkle, if you
will.
There are leading drums in
this track, and Colin’s vocals reach new heights, previously
unforeseen,
bringing forth the expressions
better.
Out of nowhere, though, like a last resort throw-in, an unknown woman
appears as additional vocals on
"Coming Alive," which ironically doesn’t induce much hopefulness for
the
subject. The Devlins are a
sedate band that remain lost in the mid-90’s for a large portion of the
album. Although that may be fine,
just take a look at who they sound like and think of the last time they
were
in the public eye. Better check
the listings for the next "Where Are They Now?" on Vh1. Cross your
fingers
that the Dublin duo will
surpass it.
