BY GRACE SERRAMBANA
In 2013, the alternative rock band, Deaf Havana released one of the most captivating albums of the year - “Old Souls” - and are back again, years later, with “All These Countless Nights”. Before the makings of this album, putting pen to paper was a struggle for the band members. Lurking behind the scenes were financial problems and lack of internal communication which almost put an end to Deaf Havana all together. These tough times, though, ended up forming the band’s most meaningful album yet. “All These Countless Nights” obtains 12 creative and beautifully written tracks that carry the theme of loneliness and/or isolation. Each individual song will end up speaking to your heart; anyone listening will want to press repeat.
The album kick-starts with an upbeat song followed by an early release track to allow the audience to grasp a feel of the ultimate experience. Ashes, Ashes dabbles with the overall theme of the album, playing with lyrics such as “If we drive away to the place I love the most,” - “I’ll leave my ashes to the coast.” The early release, Trigger, was, according to James Veck-Gilodi, “one of the few songs where the words just came out of [him] as [he] put the pen to paper.” This song holds the overall theme like an Olympic torch and shows that if one reflects on their past mistakes but doesn’t do anything about them, the past mistakes will continue to reveal themselves in the coming future.
L.O.V.E. is a track demanding to be heard. The lyrics create a surrounding feeling of guilty pleasure as the speaker admits his faults even though “the guilt that should be eating at [his] conscience isn’t there.” Adding a different aspect to the album, the oceanic beginning gives added curiosity to the listener.
These two softer alternative rock songs - Happiness and Like A Ghost - allow the listener to take a breather from the usual Deaf Havana upbeat tone. Happiness’ lyrics contradict the title as the speaker tells of how his addictions keep chaining him down when he wants to experience happiness. Like A Ghost has a needed slow introduction and speeds up throughout the chorus which generously provides layers to the song.
Fever and Pretty Low both have an interesting use of instruments. Fever has a unique introduction; the use of the electric guitar feedback digs into a new perspective of the alternative rock world. With a softer edge to it, Pretty Low gives a beautiful demonstration of creativity by the guitar riff carried throughout the song. The fade out at the end will make the listener crave more.
A different tone has been brought to life with their track England. On the more ‘funk’ side, this is definitely a song to groove to, but it is also a song with a gentle message, such like the following track Seattle. Seattle lets the overall tone of isolation roam throughout the elements of the song; the soft tone and the use of gentler instruments really lets the listener collapse into the melody.
St. Paul’s quieter tone gives much needed contrast to the album. With the soft blend of instruments to the easy-to-decipher lyrics, this song will surely land in one of most played tracks of “All These Countless Nights”.
Back to the strong, easy to love vibes - 11Sing throws a sweet surprise after the softer tracks of the album. With the intimidating electric guitar, this track brings an upbeat sound that fits in like a puzzle piece.
Coming to a close, Pensacola, 2013 perfectly wraps up the theme with a little piece of hope. The album does an outstanding job of captivating ‘isolation’ in its whole, but ends with craving more than just those feelings of loneliness and regret, demonstrated by this closing track.
Although Deaf Havana faced a troubling time which almost broke apart the band, they ended up coming back stronger than before. The passion is noticeable throughout this album. As per usual, Deaf Havana provides a mixture being upbeat, grooving vibes and soft, gentle tracks. They even formed creative introductions which sucks the listener in. I do wish to see more variety in the sound of each song. The album came with a predictable upbeat sound and soft rock - along with the guitar solo found in nearly all songs near the bridge. (Though, the predictable Deaf Havana sound is still, nevertheless, mesmerizing.)
Even though the overall theme dips its toes into the darker shadows of life, “All These Countless Nights” does not fall short. With the extensive use of instruments to the blend of different lyrics, this album will surely not disappoint. If anything, it definitely seems to have brought the band closer together and stepped away from the more ‘emo-y’ vibe Deaf Havana used to bring to the table. It’s different, it’s incredibly pieced together, and it’s a step towards a brighter future for all the members of the band.
Grab your headphones and prepare to be unable to press pause.
