Farehaven

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 shops 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 - EVOR

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.
- ALL WHAT'S ROCK

Remember that song "Heart of Rock n Roll" be Huey Lewis and the News. There was a line in that song that went "The one is sill barely breathing – but the heart of Rock n Roll is still beating." Actually I think it’s fair to say "the old one" is on life support and has flat lined. In fact the last kick ass rock n’ roll band I can remember was "The White Stripes." Looking at what’s out there right now it’s hard to imagine mainstream music getting any worse. Is there any artists out there that has the guts to release music that stands for something? There may be hope because Cincinnati based Farehaven headed up by David Sizemore and company represent all that was good in Rock

It’s truly amazing what Farehaven has done via this latest string of songs from their latest CD entitled "Upside Down" released in 2011. I’ve never had a band suck me in quite like this one did – refusing to let go and calling me back after it was complete. The music just flows like a river via an invigorating vocal front and an addictive rock driven vibe that is comparable to a modern-day 3 Doors Down, 3 Days Grace and even Creed. There is also an undeniable Classic Rock quality to these songs which will remind you of music back in the 90’s. Music is complex enough to even get the math rockers excited. Farehaven works its magic when you just let go and roll with the melodies. You never know what’s around the next corner as the EP touches a wide range of emotions and thought provoking subject matter. What I like most about Farehaven is the bands ability to touch multiple musical styles without trying to hard to do it. This is usually what happens when artists are being themselves.

Criticism: Nothing worth mentioning.

Favorite Track: The Black Heart, Nobody Knows You

"Upside Down" EP by Farehaven is an endearing album limited by nothing. It’s not to be underestimated and if you do – you will get exactly what you deserve. Your face melted. I would imagine as time goes by we will hear more from these 3 lads from Cincinnati. Perhaps Rock n Roll is not dead after all.
- TOPICALISE

The Artist I recently checked out the latest EP from Cincinnati, OH.absed 3 piece unit "Farehaven" who just released their latest CD entitled Upsidedown in 2011.

The band Standard 3 piece line-up which includes David Sizemore (Guitar, Vocals) Dan Durrant (Drums) and Rob Jamison (Bass). I would say the band possesses above average to advanced alternative rock paying skills, and intermediate writing abilities. You will find a musical personality that is rich with Alternative Rock with a side of guitar driven-Pop-Rock. Timing is spot on within this genera. Sizemore can hold his own on vocals but more importantly this band delivers music that is highly entertaining, passionate and uplifting in nature. The strongest aspect of the production is the polished crystal clean sound quality. The music possesses a clean Alternative Rock, Passion-Pop. All in all great music to get your head wrapped around. Will remind you of classic Dishwalla, Stabbing Westward and Daughtry. The songs Simply put - deep music with thought provoking lyrical content. I kept waiting for a weak song to come down the pike - I eventually gave up on that. The vibe Overall very thought provoking, melodic, progressive with amazing stories that possess incredible highs and lows. The CD has it’s shares of positive moments. Simply put - very much like life itself this CD personifies life experience, with music that are 100% honest and pure. There is no attempt to sugarcoat the truth. The production is professional grade from start to finish. There's not many songs you can listen to time and time again. The good Crystal clear recording quality, solid production value, entertaining music and solid musicianship. The bad Song for song, note for note the EP is a tad bit repetitive. The ugly Nothing to report.

The verdict These 6 songs from the Upsidedown CD by Farehaven has everything from good chops, entertaining songs, heart felt vocals and music that makes a solid first impression. The Bottom Line WARNING - Listening to this music and studying the deep lyrical content will open you eyes and turn your world Upside-Down.
- Markus Druery INDIE SHARK

Most 9-month-old bands are happy with a few really good rehearsals and a handful of successful gigs. The rockers of Cincinnati’s Farehaven had no interest in a lengthy incubation period when they coalesced last June.

“I think our first gig was a month and a half into being a band,” bassist Rob Jamison says while laughing over coneys at Camp Washington Chili. “We were scared, I ain’t gonna lie. I was like, ‘Man, that’s way too quick.’ ”

“I was impatient, man; I was ready to get out there and go,” vocalist/guitarist David Sizemore says.

“I felt like I was getting too old. I was like, ‘Let’s go, let’s play shows, I’m gonna be a grandpa soon,’ ” he adds, jokingly.

That same determination motivated the band to tweak Sizemore’s existing songs and come up with new ones and to start work last November on Farehaven’s debut full-length, the just-released and improbably accomplished Upside Down. The disc reveals a band that blends Classic and Modern Rock, touching on core influences like Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and Creed yet moving beyond them.

“We’re going to keep progressing and raising the bar on ourselves,” Sizemore says. “I’m proud to have an album done by a full band.”

This is the second iteration of a Sizemore band with the same name. The earlier incarnation of Farehaven (named after the street where Sizemore grew up) was comprised of high school friends who weren’t interested in pursuing music as a career. With the discovery of Jamison and drummer Dan Durrant, Sizemore has bandmates that share his commitment, ambition and passion.

“These guys have the same mentality — they want to make it, they want to be serious, they want to practice and be good,” Sizemore says. “That’s what makes it work. We have the same musical interests and passion and drive. I feel like we’ve got a strong foundation and we’ll be together a long time.”

There is an element of destiny in this new configuration. Sizemore and Durrant found each other last summer through CityBeat’s musician classifieds. Sizemore was looking to resurrect Farehaven as a serious band and Durrant was dissatisfied with his band situation.

“Our guitarist was constantly changing what he wanted to do and I couldn’t wait for him,” Durrant says. “Then I found David. The first few times were kind of iffy — we were just trying to learn his songs that he’d already recorded. Then we actually did a jam and that’s where we connected.”

After several practices, Durrant and Sizemore recognized a palpable synergy between them. Durrant then contacted Jamison, a good friend and sporadic bandmate since junior high. Jamison had relocated to Pennsylvania for college and moved back, but had largely abandoned any thoughts of music.

“I’d been out of the game,” Jamison says. “I came back and Dan talked me into it. The first time we practiced, I didn’t even have a bass. It was Dan’s bass and this little amp.”

Farehaven has benefited from some interesting connections along the way. Sizemore’s mass demo mailing, prior to Farehaven’s new lineup, got him a polite refusal from entertainment attorney Owen Sloan. But Sloan steered him to former Capitol Records executive Don Grierson, who mentored Sizemore as a songwriter. And occasional gigs with a different band ultimately led to Sizemore’s introduction to Blessid Union of Souls’ Eliot Sloan, who in turn introduced the band to Chris Schmidt, who recorded and mixed Upside Down.

Farehaven doesn’t fit comfortably in any single genre, as they borrow liberally from various styles to create an energetic Rock hybrid that works within a wide range of musical contexts. That flexibility will make them an excellent opening/multi-bill act going forward.

“I’ve asked people, ‘What would you consider our style? Who do we sound like?’ and they’re like, ‘I don’t know,’ ” Jamison says. “That’s awesome. It’s just Rock.”

“Bands like Kings of Leon or Muse have a Classic Rock vibe, but they do their own thing,” Sizemore says. “That appeals to people because you’re different. I’m not saying we’re the most original thing ever, but we have our own sound.”

So far Farehaven hasn’t had many opportunities to play out of town (a Louisville show has been the band’s longest trip), but they’re planning to increase their tour radius while expanding their local fan base.

“We were less experienced as a band,” Durrant says of their Louisville trip. “We’re more in tune with each other now. When we first started, our shows weren’t at their full potential, but we’re getting up there.”

“We’ve been on stage now and we’re getting our routine down,” Sizemore says. “We keep getting more comfortable and confident with it. We’re slowly building our following. It’s just making everything stronger.”



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For more on FAREHAVEN, including song samples and future show info, visit www.myspace.com/farehaven or look the band up on Facebook.

---------------- - Brian Baker, Cincinnati Citybeat