After an intense A&R scrum, the much-lauded Haven released their emotional, hand-wringing debut Between The Senses amid clouds of ‘promising indie hopefuls’ plaudits. Obviously they’ve found a formula and are sticking to it, as All For A Reason is a timid bedwetting effort in a similar vein to their debut. Some time ago, the sounds of a New Man singing his heart out through crocodile tears against a backdrop of soft-rock acoustica became just plain boring. If a band is to survive the waters in which bands like Coldplay et al flourish, some gimmicks and some damn fine tunes are needed for survival.
Unfortunately stuck somewhere between the insufferable outpourings of the Stereophonics and the MOR no-man’s land of Bon Jovi, Haven are purveyors of unmemorable and anaemic soft-rock, though crucially, the art of the hook is one they’ve sadly yet to master.
Strangely and inexplicably enough, Johnny Marr has been championing the band from the rooftops for a while, and it transpires that the only two tolerable tracks on the album have been co-penned by the man himself. ‘Have No Fear’ and ‘The First Time’, though reeking of Travis, are perhaps worth a half-hearted second listen.
Forget about the genius shouting for them from the sidelines…ultimately, there’s no escaping the unfortunate fact that Haven could be this year’s Embrace – whether or not you think that’s a good thing is your call.