davidjrob's Full Review: Places for Breathing by Revis
I was recommended to Revis online. A lot of people directed me toward this new band who was seemingly on the rise. So, I did the obvious by going trying to download some of there work. At the end of my efforts, all I could find was 20 second loops of one song. Disgusted, I said forget about it.
Fast foward a little, and I spot there album in Wal-Mart pretty cheap. I went ahead and bought it. Needless to say, I came away satisfied, but disappointed.
Take a song like "Spin". By far, this is the bands best effort. The chorus is really catchy and the vocals are sung really well throughout. The riff meanders from acoustic to hard rocking, with a gratingly cool solo. And the drumming is tight too.
Then take a listen to a song like "Your Wall". Upon hearing this track, I feel like I'm hearing the b*stard child of "Spin". I get the idea quickly this song is filler in comparison.
"Seven" is more acoustic than "Spin" but the rhythm is plugged in. Again, the formula the band had on "Spin" reappears here. Everything is well done from the guitars and drums to the vocals. The song builds to the chorus very well. Nice work.
And then, a track later, on "Straight Jacket Labels" - once again, I feel like I am hearing the red-headed stepchild born on the Fourth of July of "Seven". Everything follows the same formula, except I don't like this version of it.
Am I getting redundent here? I hope so, because that is exactly the point I am making. Places For Breathing is *VERY* redundent. For every "Seven" and "Spin", there are two, sometimes *THREE* songs that sound *NEARLY* identical, but are modified slightly in sound with different lyrics.
Two exceptions are "Caught In The Rain" and "Living Rooms".
"Caught In The Rain" is very melodic vocal driven track with a much different riff than the rest of the album. These are the types of songs Revis should have filled the album with as they are upbeat and powerful. The vocals standout in a great way, giving this song some powerful legs (reminds me of Creed's "Higher"). I love the solo here too.
"Living Rooms" has a purely acoustic intro which showcases the bands picking ability and the vocalist capabilities to sing in a different tone. Revis pulls this track off really well, even mixing in some good backup vocals. When the song tries to rock hard here, its more original than anything on the entire album. Excellent song.
However, the band's biggest flaw is exposed by "Living Rooms".
The vocalist.
Yes, the guy has a good voice and he is a really melodic singer. However, he seems to sing at the same range throughout the entire album. No variation on his voice hardly at all.
I guess I'd classify the bands biggest sin as inability to stretch beyond the same formula. Its very much hit and miss, with the misses coming more than the hits. I see a lot of potential, but only if the band can break away from the generic alt rock guitars and the singer needs to quit singing each chorus near identical.
Slightest recommendation, although it is enjoyable to listen to, it can be droning. 2 3/4 star album, pulled up to a 3.
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