STYLE: Rock RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 14696- LABEL: Tooth & Nail FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
Britain hasn't yet really cottoned on to the charms of the Havalina Rail Co which is a shame because there is something delightful in a band that can mix so much music - jazz, rock, blues, cajun, country, show tunes -and serve up such a loose limbed eclectic selection of songs. On the debut album, imagine The Lost Dogs only more eclectic and 100 times less together and you get the chaotic sound of Havalina. Like The Lost Dogs, the spiritual content isn't always immediately obvious so just sit back and enjoy the musical ride. "Proportion Thing" sounds like something out of a detective film, "Ragtime" namechecks Jesus and has this crazy cajun feel. "Grass Roots" is a country singalong which suddenly breaks into "Cruisin"', a stomping romp. "French Theme" is, of course, built around some wonderful accordion occasionally taking a left turn into some brilliant blues. "Sha La La" has a loose skiffle feel with the whole band chugging along. This album is full of surprises and any band that can finish an album with a version of "Moon River" is alright by me!
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