deas vail
Gig Seeker Pro

deas vail

Band Alternative Rock

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Deas Vail Paints It Red"

I promised in the last post that I would have more to say about Deas Vail. I have been listening to the CD over and over and -- what can I say -- I like it more every time I hear it. You can check it out in its entirety at PureVolume with lyrics available at their web site under the music tab.

Instrumentals are tight. The rhythm section is solid -- Jeremy Burns, who came in to the group only recently, after the unfortunate death of founding bass player Bobby Jackson, Kelsey Harelson on the drum kit, Reuben Cox on guitar. The group obviously knows their (all original) material well. The use of keys -- played by Laura Hudson -- in the lineup is a pleasant difference from many of the guitar-oriented bands in this genre. Most of the arrangements have a lot of dynamic and rhythmic diversity which works to keep the songs interesting. There are often pleasant surprises at section resolutions and transitions, avoiding using predictable chord changes. Wes Blaylock's vocals are great, simultaneously melodic, energetic, insistent and compelling -- helping make the songs believable. They do a nice job of maintaining a common sound as a group without each song being so "sound-alike" that boredom sets in. The lyrics are sometimes a little cryptic (as it goes with many indie bands) but have generally encouraging and overtly spiritual messages woven in. - John Rowland


Discography

"this place is painted red"

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Deas Vail is a Russellville based group of five musicians who converged on the campus Arkansas Tech University in early 2004. They recorded and produced their independently released first album in a local studio owned by Dave Barton who engineered the project. Deas Vail has performed in various venues, churches and establishments in Arkansas and surround states. After winning a performance competition at Bartlesville, OK they were ask to appear at a Floodgate Records showcase during the GMA Convention in Nashville, TN.

Music lovers are in for an indulgence of the soul when tearing off the plastic of Deas Vail's CD, "This Place is Painted Red". There are no disappointments in the eleven poem-like songs and one hidden track written and produced by this cadre of five southern musicians. The opening track, "Lovers Charm", explodes with an energy level that is repeated throughout the album, and then delicately drops to plane that lures the listener in anticipation of what is coming next. Lead singer, Wes Blaylock, is not afraid to delight us with his falsetto range and then show off his driving rock skills. Guitarist, Reuben Cox, has a"big guitar" presence but uses it tastefully exhibiting tactful riffs and rhythms that liaise with Laura Hudson's keyboard and synth arrangements for an astounding sound. Althought the only female of the group, Ms. Hudson fits in ably providing resonating harmonies that blend well with Blaylock's voice. All this is capably supported by bassist Jeremy Burns and percussionist Kelsey Harelson. This duo uses interesting patterns and chordings to round out the group's sound. Lyrics printed on the cover insert occasionally give truth to the group's belief in a personal relationship between the individual and Jesus Christ, but more often the text sense are of an abstract intelligence allowing the listener to interpret and relate on an intimate level with the prose of the compositions. Great dynamics, sweet melodies, tasteful studio trimmings, and unusual timings keep this project interesting and entertaining. The listener will enjoy this musical endeavor over and again.