Deas Vail: All the Houses Look the Same

The Indie Review
By Sean Duregger
August 2, 2007

Band: Deas Vail

Album: All the Houses Look the Same
Label: Brave New World
Rating:

The great part about reviewing bands for IndieUprising, is the fact that I am suprised every time I hear a new band. Sometimes that’s a good thing & sometimes not so good.

I received a package from a new Indie Label known as Brave New World with Deas Vail’s debut album All the Houses Look the Same. The first thing I noticed about the CD was the great album artwork. (I’m kind of Old School & have my method of checking out a new CD. My first step is to take out the album artwork and flip through the lyrics and pictures. Then I take a listen.)

Let’s just say that this was my first big suprise of 2007. I’ve reviewed some really great bands so far this year, but there is something about Deas Vail that is very special. All the Houses Look the Same is not your standard pop indie rock album (or whatever you want to classify it as). This is a collection of songs that is extremely well rounded, each song flows into the other without crossing repetitive territory. Deas Vail is a band that relies on piano for most of it’s songs, and the piano is icing on the cake with this record. There are so many times where I found myself “air pianoing” while listening to the album. That’s not to say that piano overtakes these songs, or is the most important part. The songwriting is extremely balanced and all the instruments used rely on each other. If one element was missing (piano, guitar, bass, drums) this album would not be the same.

This review can’t end without talking about the vocals. Wes Blaylock’s vocals are absolutely stunning. His range is impeccable with amazing falsetto gracing most of the songs at one point or another. I don’t think I’ve heard a vocalist blend in so well with the songs. Wes is a classically trained vocalist and it shows in his control. Amazing stuff.

Deas Vail’s All the Houses Look the Same is a stunning debut for 2007. From the music, the songs to the lyrics Deas Vail have crafted a very special album. This album hasn’t left my car CD player since I received it. I think this is a defining album for the band and am looking forward to many more albums from Deas Vail in the future.

Standout Tracks:

“Shoreline”
“Surface”
“Shadows and City Lights”