Album Review: Safe Haven- "Chasing the Sun"
A true case of inspiration is hard to come by. We live in an age where the concept of the raw physical "album" has been hi-jacked by the digital universe and replaced with the cold and heartless single. Today's aspiring musician doesn't even have to be just that, thanks to the MacBook and modern technology. Creating a ten to twelve track collection of cohesive songs has become a formality and even at times... a lost art... but all is never lost...
Enter: Safe Haven- four men fighting for the cause of rock n' roll, their dream that is all but lost. Their third full-length album is a glimmer of hope, a rush of fresh air and without a doubt their strongest release to date. This album is eleven tracks portraying a raw sense of desperation, hope and the honesty of musicians and individuals who have given the troubles and triumphs of life their all. They've captured this collection of songs (that anyone born before 1990 would call an album) on two-inch tape and have appropriately titled it, "Chasing The Sun".
I could give a track by track review of the entire album but that would take away from the journey that is "Chasing The Sun", it's best experienced for one's self. Each track contains a massive amount of heart and is grounded by the emotions of frontman Gil Sandoval. Every aspect of this record is a massive leap forward from their previous efforts and that is obvious from the get go. The songwriting is stronger, the musicianship is tighter and the vocals are more transparent... but each element is not left unto it's own and that's what make this album truly special. It's a cohesive unit of rhythm, crafted guitars, passionate vocals and most importantly... songs that will most likely define what the world will come to know as Safe Haven.
The pinnacle moments of the track listing come at different points and after almost a year spent re-visiting this album... I think I've decided that there is no highest peak. The title track "Chasing The Sun", "Blind" and an acoustic ballad titled "My Recession" are the moments that I connect with most, both on a musical and emotional level. The lyrics of the entire album are simple, accesible and should offer something for almost anyone at any stage in the crazy game that is called life. At times, the simplicity could be considered to be one of the albums only flaws that is easily overlooked. Simplicity is also one of the bands strongest traits. Each element offered by the four members is clearly voiced but also blended in every beat, riff and melody.
Gil Sandoval, Mani Sandoval, Dan Sandoval and Josh Ledezma have hit a stride that some bands never will. They followed their gut, took a chance, defied the odds and collected the pay out in the form of a fantastic album. Your hope will keep your dreams alive... "Chasing The Sun" will convince you of that as it did for me.
Safe Haven is...
Gil Sandoval: Lead Vocals / Bass
Dan Sandoval: Drums
Josh Ledezma: Guitar
Mani Sandoval: Lead Guitar
Produced by: Safe Haven and Bob Hoag at Flying Blanket Studios in Mesa, Arizona
*Recorded and mixed on analog tape
Mastered by: Jason Livermore at Blasting Room Studios in Fort Collins, Colorado
"Chasing The Sun" is available on August 28th.
www.SafeHaveRock.com
www.facebook.com/SafeHavenRock
