Black Eyed Sceva
Way Before the Flood
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
This popular West Coast band delivers some high quality tunes that would best be classified as melodic with an acoustic 'n' jangly guitar twist. I hear Rick Elias and John Thompson (Wayside) in the vocals of Jeremy Post. The songs are the strong point here, as the hooks strike quickly and leave you wanting more. Former Toad The Wet Sprocket bassist produced the album very well (ribbit!).
The band never moves too far out beyond safe passion (i.e.: they don't rock out), opting instead for the laid back pop sound of a Blind Melon single. This controlled energy also works in the band's favor, as they focus on being tight, and Post achieves the right vocal inflection at just the right times. This further helps the band underline specific points, as they lyrically tackle abstinence, reaching out to those close to you who don't believe, and a father leaving a family. Sometimes those messages and themes are as gripping mentally as the heaviest riff is musically. It's hard to classify Black Eyed Sceva as hard music, but it's real easy to classify their music as great.
Other coverage for this album
7ball #1Reviewed by Chris WellIt's difficult to pinpoint exactly what's most compelling about Way Before the Flood, the label debut from Black Eyed Sceva (pronounced "see-va") - there is so much to absorb. From the opening strum and jangle of "Justified" it's apparent this musical package is hard to beat: Hailing from the same post-modern folk/rock territory of, say, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Gin Blossoms, Jeremy Post…