NavaCross - NavaCross Album Review

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Album Review

The Essex town of Chelmsford probably isn't one you'd associate with 70s west coast Americana and Rock-a-Billy, but 5-piece band NavaCross have been belting out those kind of sounds in the town and its environs since 2008.

Their self-titled debut album also visits the blues and folk to deliver 16 joyous tracks that beg for repeated listening. Cramming so much material into one release could've increased the chances of a couple of stinkers slipping through the net, but these boys know what works and with the conviction of a Bible Belt pulpit preacher they back their charges to do the business.

Beginning in confident style with the rockin' 'Ship Goes Down' the pace doesn't slacken on 'Have the Time' and by the time you reach the Van Morrison-like 'Helicopter Sky' you're pretty much hooked. 'Let it Roll' could be a Jack Johnson single, 'One Way Ticket' is a belting nugget and 'Scattered' an uplifting little number with a rousing chorus and some lovely harmonica. Just when you think there has got to be some fillers somewhere they come up with the jaunty 'After Tomorrow', plaintive 'Lay Down' and the tender 'Listening'. Drop in the blues/rock closer 'Don't Shout' and you've got an album of light and shade that is a treat for both ears and feet.

The production is unfussy and the musicianship assured throughout and you're left with a sense of the band's utter pleasure at playing songs that they obviously love. Personally I'd have kept half a dozen of these tracks back for the follow up, but they're generous like that down Chelmsford way.

Adrian Phillips