Devics - Push The Heart (2006)

Artist...............: Devics
Album................: Push The Heart
Genre................: Ghost Rock
Source...............: Cd
Year.................: 2006
Ripper...............: Exact Audio Copy
Codec................: Flac
Information..........: TntVillage
Covers...............: Front
Total Size...........: 273 Mb
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Rewiev
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On their fourth full-length album, Devics don't stray far from their usual ethereal piano-plus-sampler,

late-night vibe. Sara Lov again provides the majority of the vocals, her voice coming across as a

restrained blend of Hope Sandoval, Mary Timony, and Kristin Hersh while offering up tales of love, lies,

and loss. Lov's instrument is certainly lulling, but not that distinctive, especially within the confines

of Dustin O'Halloran's shoegazer-like audio web. Too often, O'Halloran layers in the same cooing background

hum, to the point where the album nearly devolves into an aural bout of coffee-table lethargy. With many of

the songs rolling along at a slow drizzle, only the Mum-like "Secret Message to You," with its typewriter

sound effect glitch, and the fractured "Just One Breath" really pick up steam. "Distant Radio," in theme

and execution, travels a bit too far into Mojave 3 mimicry but lacks the bombast that put that group over

the top. O'Halloran's deeper vocal contributions are a nice contrast, but can't match the subtlety or

texture of influences like Leonard Cohen or Richard Hawley. Album closer "Come Up" is particularly pretty.

Still, one gets the sense that this is an album recorded with white gloves, and the calculation behind the

tunes is nearly tangible. With more variation, more separation in the mix, and a bit more conviction and

passion overall, Push the Heart would be easier to recommend. As it stands, it's just a slightly-better-

than-average indie chamber pop excursion.
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Tracklist
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01. Lie to Me
02. A Secret Message to You
03. Salty Seas
04. Song for a Sleeping Girl
05. Distant Radio
06. Just One Breath
07. Moments
08. If We Cannot See
09. City Lights
10. Come Up