Haven

Melodically sweet like Coldplay and Starsailor, Haven was a critic's darling among the British press in early 2002. The glossy dream pop mix found on their debut album, Between the Senses, was fresh and tangible. Ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr produced Haven's 12 penned tracks, setting the band up for a simple introduction. Subtle electronics and textured acoustic guitars fill the album's depictions of forlorn love, spiritual comfort, and slanted optimism. Frontman Gary Briggs is a heart-rending crooner. His lyrics are traumatic in spots, but always yearning for peace of mind. He's stunning on the eerily beautiful "Out of Reach." "I Need Someone" and "Lately" are warm and inviting with guitarist Nat Wason's easy playing style, but the psychedelic punk romps of "Let It Live" and "Beautiful Thing" are infectiously loud and brazen. Haven looks inside themselves on this album. A group of lads in their early twenties go up against monotonous social conformities, and Marr allowed them to make their visions reality. Between the Senses rests with honesty and a tenderness similar to the likes of the Verve, but without pretense. An underlying sadness bleeds as well. [The Japanese edition adds "Comes a Change" and "Outside" to the album.] ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide