Album Review: Seahaven - 'Reverie Lagoon: Music For Escapism Only'

22 March 2014 | 4:33 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

Although at times it lacks punch, there is still a lot to be appreciated and enjoyed here.

Seahaven are a different kind of animal. On the one hand, they have a very unique and indie appeal to their sound that captures a lot interest but on the other they have that lethargic, dull and almost depressing emo-revival aspect that delivers the emotion and power; or in some cases, the purposeful lack-thereof. Now it's definitely a format that seems to be flooded by every second band nowadays but Seahaven manage to keep it fresh and as reinvigorating as emo is meant to be. However, there's a sense that they get too caught up in that ideology of those genre-traits.

 

This creates a mixed-bag of songs that really hit the mark and others that fall short of the target. In other words, when Seahaven get it right, they get it RIGHT. Songs like 'Flesh' and 'West Coast Selfishness' make good use of the two influences in the record. 'Flesh' is as upbeat and as rocky as you're going to get on the ambiguously named sophomore, 'Reverie Lagoon: Music for Escapism Only'. It's got a really big indie-rock atmosphere to it that strikes you with surprise when it comes after a collection of songs that seemingly go nowhere. 'West Coast Selfishness' is a very stripped back and lethargic song that leads into a big closer and it does this in exceptional form. It does it at just the right time to keep you interested and to create a lasting effect on you, the listener.

 

Sadly, as briefly mentioned above, many other songs don't make use of that formula. Nine out of fourteen tracks here feature that emo-revival formula of guitar melodies and slurred vocals layered on top with the occasional drum beat for rhythm. But that's as far as they go. They rise to a point where there's actual strumming in the guitar and not just fingerpicking but then it fades away and leaves you thinking, 'Is that it?' Songs like 'Solar Eclipse' and 'On the Floor' feel stale, leaving your mouth dry, waiting for more.

 

The acoustic ballad, 'Highway Blues' however is bloody spot on. It captures both influences of the inide and the emo perfectly for a great emotional and catchy hit. The song does this by isolating just the vocals and the acoustic guitar to really capture the influences and meaning behind it, of which we will let you decide upon.  


What will come as no surprise to anyone is that a review such as this might be quite polarising. There will be one half who agree with what's being said while the other will wholeheartedly disagree. But, that is the beauty of bands such as Seahaven. Although they have an acquired taste as such, it's a gentle reminder that musical aesthetic is held solely in the heart of the listener. Whether or not you like this album, respect and appreciation must be given to a Seahaven for crafting a full-length that feels unique in an otherwise suffocated scene. Although at times, it fails to captivate, the band proves they are more than capable of writing songs that hit the mark and win the championship.  

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1. Fifty-Four

2. Andreas

3. Silhouette (Latin Skin) 

4. Wild West Selfishness

5. On the Floor

6. Paseo De Las Estrellas (I) 

7. Highway Blues 

8. Flesh

9. Whispers

10. Love to Burn

11. Solar Eclipse

12. Paseo De Las Estrellas (II)

13. Karma Consequential

14. Four-Eleven