The Devlins, brothers Colin and Peter Devlin, have always had the ability to produce compelling, understated musical gems and the release of their fourth album, Waves, looks set to cement their reputation as an Irish band ... more »with more longevity, creativity and credibility than most.
With Waves, the brothers took a different approach to recording this time around. "We set up to record in a very live way", explains bassist Peter Devlin. "Our recording studio lends itself to that, it's a big warehouse in Dublin's docklands." Singer/guitarist Colin Devlin continues "We worked the arrangements out the way we would for a live show, then we hit the record button. Previously, we've worked the other way around. I think this time it made for a more dynamic record which is great to play live."« less
The Devlins, brothers Colin and Peter Devlin, have always had the ability to produce compelling, understated musical gems and the release of their fourth album, Waves, looks set to cement their reputation as an Irish band with more longevity, creativity and credibility than most.
With Waves, the brothers took a different approach to recording this time around. "We set up to record in a very live way", explains bassist Peter Devlin. "Our recording studio lends itself to that, it's a big warehouse in Dublin's docklands." Singer/guitarist Colin Devlin continues "We worked the arrangements out the way we would for a live show, then we hit the record button. Previously, we've worked the other way around. I think this time it made for a more dynamic record which is great to play live."
"This album has grown on me in such a big way since I got it soon after its Irish release last summer. Leave your expectations at the door if the only Devlins album you own is "Waiting," because although it begins with a bit of the dark atmosphere people who love the "Waiting" album will relate to in "Everything Comes Around," Waves flows in new directions as well.
Everything Comes Around - love the haunting sound, especially the middle eight.
Sunrise - hooks you with its chiming guitars, which the Amazon clip skips over, and keeps the momentum of the first song going.
Careless Love - slows things down a bit and has a light melody, which contrasts with the lyrics about deceit and cheating: "No one has to win or lose, no one has to take the blame. All I wanted was the truth, not a careless love..."
Someday - my personal favorite picks things up a bit again and features overlays of Colin Devlin's voice that give it a stronger sound.
Lazarus - before I ever heard the album, someone described this as a song for gazing out the window at rivulets of rain. Works for me.
Don't Let It Break Your Heart - has an incredibly infectious chorus I have trouble getting out of my head.
Feel It When You're Gone - gives off what sounds like a strong British pop sound vibe to me that grows on you the more you hear it.
Coming Alive - sexy, soulful late night stuff with a female singer helping Colin Devlin out on vocals.
Headstrong - "All the things that hurt, you know, are just a part of living..."
Waves - undulates, both melodically and lyrically, to the rhythm of its metaphoric peaceful seas and features an omnichord for that almost musicbox sound in the background.
It's so hard to get a feel for a song from short clips, so if you're undecided I'd recommend you go to the news page on the Devlins' website and click on the "Waves ecard" where you can hear three full songs: "Careless Love," which is the first single; "Don't Let It Break Your Heart;" and "Someday.""
It broke my heart to give it 3 stars...
StephenMcC | Ireland | 08/26/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"As a mega Devlins fan it wasn't easy giving Waves just 3 stars, but that's not because this album is all that bad, but because the rest of their music is just so, so good! Below are my points in brief:
- Firstly I wasn't mad about the cover, I found it a little bland as they've always had cover's that felt much more personal and inspiring.
- The sound, arrangement and writing wasn't as focused as on there other offerings, I'm talking about tracks such as: 'Someday', 'Feel It When You're Gone' and 'Waves'.
- I also found Colin's singing wasn't as passionate, especially on Waves, just sounds to me like he just can't wait to get outta the studio! I mean check out the vocals on the title track on Drift as a comparison!
However this album has some good points, such as 'Everything Comes Around', 'Careless Love', 'Lazarus' and the beautiful 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart'. If it weren't for these then I would have been forced to give a much lower rating.
I put off buying this album for a long time as I say the cover didn't fill me with confidence. But I had the pleasure of seeing them in Belfast (again) and they were mega, I picked up my copy after the show (which I got signed) as well as my Devlins T-Shirt which I wear with pride. They did mega versions of 'Everything Comes Around', 'Careless Love', 'Lazarus' and 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart', which all blew me away, they also did 'Almost made u smile' which almost made me cry (man I wish I had had the courage to get up and dance to that!) and after much shouting from my older Bro, an in-promptu version of 'Some to talk to'
I'll just finish by saying that the show was that good I wish it had been recorded, guys you outta think about doing a live album, but it has to be a small intimate show, that's where you guys really come alive."
Excellent Album
Gilbert Solorio | Santa Cruz, Ca. United States | 01/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I actually purchased this album in November from this Ireland website and I enjoyed every song on the album. I really recommend this album to existing devlin's fan and to those people who haven't really listen to the devlins. This is one of my favorite albums of the year and it is a must have."
Same stuff
ur wan | 09/16/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"thought the prevoius three albums were better. startin to sound the same but not in a good way."