HAVEN
All For A Reason
(Out now on Radiate records)

This Mancunian quartet follow on from their much lauded debut album; ‘Between The Senses’ with the style and momentum that America’s Michael Johnson used to grab the baton in the 4 X 400 metres relay. Although, rather than a full on sprint Haven meander melodically through topics such as life and its direction, love and its component parts and escapism. At times Gary Briggs’ soulful and uplifting vocals

sound as compelling as Doves front man Jimi Goodwin, such as in the highlight track ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’ that is as emotive and anthemic as ‘Pounding’ by the aforementioned band. This second offering sees Haven experimenting instrumentally with tingling organs and clattering percussion help lift the songs up to the level of Gary’s powerful and emotive vocals. This stops them being just another middle of the road indie band, as they possess variety being able to pull off feel good tracks like ‘Something Moved Me’ as well as the slower more contemplative offerings such as ‘Don’t Say A Word’.

Haven head out on a UK tour with Crackout and have managed to build up quite a reputation for their emotive and uplifting live shows being able to lift the spirits of anyone, even England football fans! ‘All For A Reason’ is certainly a step forward for them, something that many thought they would struggle to achieve after producing such a promising debut album.

Haven on tour this spring;

April
23rd Oxford Zodiac
24th Middlesborough Empire
25th Glasgow QMU
27th Liverpool Academy 2
28th Nottingham Rescue Rooms
29th Stoke Sugarmill

May
1st Sheffield Leadmill
2nd Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
3rd Bristol Fleece & Firkin
5th Norwich Waterfront
6th London Shepherds Bush Empire
7th Manchester MDH

www.haveninfo.com

David Adair