4 out of 5

Label: Secretly Canadian

Produced by: Neal Ostrovsky, Zack Schneider

Released in 2008, Devastator does that thing Secretly Canadian has been doing since the mid 2000s and skirting the mainstream stream via acts that nip at hip trends of the time.  Haven’s first SC release dropped when Britpoppy / rock revival groups were still growing strong, so the zippy, guitar- and drum-driven soulful rock the band executes was right in line.  And Devastator continued that sound, though perhaps with a bit less immediacy than their debut, as the secret was out and the group no longer had to prove itself.  And that comfort shines through most moments of the disc, with George Hunter’s rumbly, enthused singing over the headbang-worthy strumming and percussion fills.  Opener “Are You Ready” is a toe-tapping call-to-arms and most of what follows keeps pace.  It’s only when the group slows down to croon more directly that things lose their drive, the generic lyrics not adding much impact when the group isn’t in full swinging-swing.  But it’s all effected with passion, and the raw, crisp production keeps it sounding good even when those slower moments threaten to fade into the background; wise sequencing makes sure that you won’t be left too long without something to re-energize the listen and get you back up dancing.

Catfish Haven survived the scenester tag of their first release to stay the course and show that their hearts were in the right place; Hunter’s passionate tone adds a nostalgic, soulful element to things that blends uniquely with some crazy aggressive playing… when the group isn’t taking the occasional misstep into less defined slower tracks.