Music
03 Feb 02

Between The Senses

Haven're not completely hideous or anything. In fact, they're pretty good at what they do; the hindrance being that everybody else in indie-land is already doing it better

Shamelessly flying the flag for all things sweetness, indie and light, Haven seem to be riding joyously on the crest of a Travis wave. Thing is, I can think of approximately 14 bands off-hand who bare a direct comparison to these relentless whingers. OK, call me harsh, but there’s only so much Jeff Buckley wannabe high pitched vibrato one can take. It’s like Häagen Dazs in that respect. Lushious and heavenly in small doses, and utterly nauseating otherwise.

Don’t get me wrong, Haven’re not completely hideous or anything. In fact, they’re pretty good at what they do; the hindrance being that everybody else in indie-land is already doing it better. Take for example the Coldplay inspired ‘I Need Someone’ and its distinctly ‘Yellow’-ish intro – or perhaps the mild, samey, Starsailor-esque ‘Lately’.

However there are some saving graces, namely the divine ‘Til The End’ and ‘Still Tonight’, when the band abandon the rules in favour of some original melodies. Essentially, Between The Senses is the perfect record for the average indie-folkist who just can’t wait for the new Travis album.