Deaf Havana – Fools And Worthless Liars

Deaf Havana’s latest release, “Fools and Worthless Liars”, definitely consists of some of their catchiest tracks so far. The Norfolk based, alternative rock band offer up some great acoustic tracks, as well as some of their much loved pop/punk songs that are near to impossible to get out of your head!

The first track on the album, “The Past Six Years” is most certainly a favourite. It’s a reflective, simple acoustic based track which suits Veck Golidi perfectly. Starting and ending simply with a guitar, it speaks about iconic London venue, Purple Turtle, reminding the listener where the band began and the extent of their growing success, yet in a very humbling manner, a really nice way to start the album. This reflective theme continues into, “Youth in Retrospect”, and “I Will Try”, where the band shows true talent through their honest and emotive lyrics. “ ..Cause I’ve got friends who’ve lost their fathers, and they’re much stronger men than me..”  The Deaf Havana older fans will recognise their usual sound in songs like’ Little White Lies’ featuring Paramore- esque, Portia Conn. Faster tracks with great break downs and builds that balance the albums more solemn start.

Another favourite, “I’m A Bore, Mostly” has a great riff into the chorus, which sounds amazing down your headphones on maximum volume.  Oz Sessions have recently released a great video of Veck Golidi singing some tracks off the album just with an acoustic guitar; it suits this song really well. The album certainly suggests the band is veering towards a new direction, away from harder rock tracks, to riffs that can be compared to a more ‘indie’ sound. It definitely gives the sense of maturity and appreciation. Even the lead is trying new singing styles, with tracks like “Filthy Rotten Scoundrels” being far more ’shouty’ to his usual melodic tone. It seems like this album is one of the first that doesn’t really hold ‘filler tracks’, each one is enjoyable and though some similar, very well written.

Finishing track ‘Fifty Four’, named suitably after their door number, ends the album well, looking towards the future, “ Now keep holding on ‘cos we are young and we are free”. If you haven’t listened to Deaf Havana before, this album is a great way to get into the alternative rock scene. However, I feel for older fans, they may miss their usual pop/punk sound. Though personally, “Fools and Worthless Liars” really is impressive and reflects perfectly how far this band have progressed in both talent and sound.

Tracklist :

01. The Past Six Years
02. Youth In Retrospect
03. I Will Try
04. Little White Lies
05. Anemophobia
06. I’m A Bore, Mostly
07. Hunstanton Pier
08. Filthy Rotten Scoundrel
09. Things Change, Friends Leave And Life Doesn’t Stop For Anybody
10. Leeches
11. The World Or Nothing
12. Nelson’s County
13. Fifty Four

Grace O’Grady