evo:r review

  
Reviewed by: Rory Richardson 
 This is Farehaven’s latest effort and it certainly delivers. Venture to the internet – it will reveal an emotionally charged musical journey starting from Cincinnati to your heart. This is one band from Ohio who brings to the table an elite songwriting craft coupled with top flight musicianship and a knack for making a the emotional connection live with listeners. Musical flavors presented: Hard Rock, Alternative Rock, Modern Rock.  
The opening track "Nobody Knows You” is a marquee song that sets the stage perfectly for this CD. It was a great intro piece that stuck in my head and had me eager for what was ahead. All in all the whole CD is brilliantly delivered with warm musical textures and flowing compositions that push hard. Headed up by singer-musician David Sizemore, backed up by: Dan Durrant (Drums) and Rob Jamison (Bass). Sizemore’s voice compliments this style of music perfectly. Musical overtones reminded me a bit of Finger 11, 12 Stones, Breaking Benjamin and even Sevendust. There are some fantastic pieces on this CD which gives this musical production a very accessible feel emotionally. Also you will notice impressive chops and playing that will cause your jaw to hit the floor. The overall fretwork is impressive and the writing style is brilliant and I would describe it as emotional, pure, genuine and straight from the heart. These 3 have all the talent and musical flair needed to make their mark here in the US and abroad. Need I say more..  
Favorite piece on the CD is a toss up between “Caught in your Trap” and the title track. 
Conclusion:  
If there were two words I would use to describe Farehaven it would be enlightening and powerful. Enlightening is the way that writing music can be a cathartic thing, but also enlightening to the listener to never take any style of music for granted. Farehaven is highly original in this regard.  
Bottom Line: Upside Down by Farehaven has potential if delivered effectively on the radio an on the stage. It’s a musical experience you will return to time and time again.  
Rating: 
10 star rating average – This CD gets 9 stars! 

Rock N' Roll View

  

About the Artist: This latest CD “Upsidedown” (2011) is the latest from Farehaven who hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. Farehaven is no stranger to the Rock movement. the band has been featured on local radio shows such as native noise and 94.9 the sounds perfect ten. They were receiving airplay on about 40 radio stations throughout the country. They were number 6 on the STS college chart and number 16 on the STS Hot AC chart. They were nominated for the New Music Awards college category for new band and they have been featured in New Music Weekly Magazine, as well as City Beat Magazine(Cincinnati) and nominated for the New Music Awards College category new band 
Members: Band members consist of David Sizemore (Guitar, Vocals)  
Review: These 6 songs certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is one band that brings to the table effective songwriting with a high-energy hard rock delivery which even touches Hard Rock, Alternative Rock and Progressive Rock. The EP is quite amazing in nature with a some impressive guitar work meshed against think low end rhythms and a melodic vocal front. It’s an impressive display of writing and musicianship with productions strokes that are brilliant and well executed. Overall it was one hell of a ride and many tracks bounced along well in my head even after the experience was over. That usually indicated strong marketability and what I like to call “song staying power.” All in all – all songs are wonderfully simple but masterful in their overall arrangements. Music reminded me of a cross between Three Doors Down and Disturbed. There are some fantastic moments and thought provoking subject matter within each song which gives this artist a dark yet positive feel. Sizemore’s vocal presence works track for track and the behind the scenes production virtuoso from the Mixer is spot. 
Criticism: Unfortunately I can’t fid this EP for sale anywhere online. So what gives is it a real EP or something else the label may have cooked up homemade? Either way it’s not typical of a Gold Standard EP release and a bit confusing and unorthodox. 
Conclusion: It’s hard to find any solid flaws with this latest string of songs from Farehaven. These 3 guys leave a lasting impression even after the music is over. This usually indicates he is something special that’s deserving of praise, recognition and musical fame at the international level.

all whats rock

  

Cincinnati OH. based band Hard Rock band Farehaven just released their latest CD entitled “Upside Down” in 2011. I recently reviewed their 6 song sampler from the CD. This is not the first we’ve heard from Farehaven. Reading from their bio: the band has been featured on local radio shows such as native noise and 94.9 the sounds perfect ten. They were receiving airplay on about 40 radio stations throughout the country. They were number 6 on the STS college chart and number 16 on the STS Hot AC chart. They were nominated for the New Music Awards college category for new band and they have been featured in New Music Weekly Magazine, as well as City Beat Magazine(Cincinnati) and nominated for the New Music Awards College category new band 
Their latest release has much to commend it admittedly, there’s a whole lot of variety to these arrangements and performances. First: the line up consisting of David Sizemore (Guitar, Vocals) Dan Durrant (Drums) and Rob Jamison (Bass). The 3 piece holds its own dishing out soaring guitar licks, progressive movements, thunderous low end drumming and melodic vocals. Influences include the likes of Van Halen, Creed and Led Zeppelin. No doubt this A-list would indicate this band has something for both just about any music fan – past and present. Sizemore’s voice possesses an appealing baritone and top flight passion play is both marketable and unique. Let’s be honest for a second – this genera has been known lately for it’ mundane highly commercialized sound. But I give high marks to Farehaven for breaking this mode by combining elements of Progressive Rock with Melodic Hard Rock reminiscent of the mid nineties hey day. In a nutshell it’s the best of both worlds. Sizemore’s voice has power, raw emotion and a smooth as silk timber via an impressive 6 song line-up. All of the above make for very deadly combination. Even more impressive is the music itself which delivers a modern day hard rock vibe that has much in the way of originality. I honestly can hear some of this on the Radio this Summer. I like how there is no attempt to deliver what I call over the top pop-rock with nothing more than a highly corporate 3 chord rock delivere compatible to a mass audience. That ship has sailed, now it’s time for something new. Farehaven is an artists that goes above that. 
So what’s Niklelback got that Farehaven don’t got? Not much musically. With all due respect Farehaven has got the look, sound, voice, songs and staying power in the industry to grab mass appeal. Their music is powerful, entertaining and yes marketable. Yes – I could hear this at a party, club or on the radio today. Yes – I could go on all day about Farehaven. They are clearly punching all the right tickets since forming in 2010. In close Farehaven’s got what it takes to occupy a special place in modern rock during 2012 and beyond.