Amazon.co.uk Review
Between the Senses, the debut album by tender Cornish rock balladeers Haven, shuffles into the spotlight with no mean amount of expectation resting upon its slender shoulders. Not only was this band relocated to Manchester under the guiding hand of Joe Moss, ex-manager of
The Smiths, but
Between the Senses was produced by that band's stellar guitarist, Johnny Marr. This pedigree suggests that there's something truly great brewing in the imaginations of these four young men. Far from The Smiths' sprightly witticisms, however, Haven display a grounding in more traditional rock touchstones like
Buffalo Springfield and
Quicksilver Messenger Service. These are songs of sweeping anthem and ornate ambition, songs that pad along the well-trodden path of earnest indie-rock, snapping hungrily at
Coldplay's heels. While "Beautiful Thing" and "Say Something" swoon up there with the best of them,
Between the Senses does feel a little threadbare towards the end, let down by a reliance on mid-pace rock songs and a limited palette of moods. Ultimately, this is a sturdy, competent debut. But for Haven to really live up to their much-vaunted potential, they're going to have to come up with something that resonates with a power that right now sounds maddeningly just beyond their grasp.--
Louis Pattison
CD Description
'Between The Senses' is the debut album from Cornish indie rockers Haven. The album was recorded at Johnny Marr's studios in Manchester and was also co-produced by Marr himself. Amix of jangly guitars and vocal harmonies, Haven have been likened to Starsailor, Coldplay and The Stone Roses. The single 'Say Something' is also included.