Catfish Haven
Devastator
Secretly Canadian, 2008
By Allana Mayer
Somehow bands have managed to turn rock ‘n’ roll into a religious experience, pushing the energy of revivals and gospel choruses into the mould of the careless rebel with total disregard for the rules. Whereas in the beginning it was all devil’s music, people are now finding redemption in the emotional release. Then again, nobody said drunken revelries were sanctioned by God specifically. Maybe Chicago-based Catfish Haven, as the latest offering of this soulful rock/blues movement, are demons in disguise, a new wave of emissaries from the underworld to tempt away our spirits. Could do worse, I suppose.
The songwriting on the group’s second full-length Devastator carries the torch that Black Mountain lit a few years ago: deep, riffing guitars and heavy drums in “Set in Stone”, power ballads like “Every Day” and “Tripping in Memphis,” the soulful deep-throated croons on both the title track and “Invitation To Love.” Those are the tracks to put into rotation on shuffle, feel-good tunes without any heartbreaking significance. The rest feels like filler, and drags down these few high-energy hits. The album may have actually been more scintillating and buzz-making as a teaser EP.
But I’m at a loss as to what might improve the songs themselves. The album has grown on me even while writing this: I started out ready to condemn most tracks, but lyricist/guitarist George Hunter’s voice is slowing my hand. The group shows definite promise, though Devastator hasn’t yet earned them their wings. The booze-soaked energy of Catfish Haven manages to earn a few Dirtbombs comparisons, which is a definite compliment, but they don’t quite turn their roughness into an asset; the grit speaks of a lack of showmanship rather than a rock-star lifestyle. They’re trying, though, and I can’t wait to hear their next attempt.
