Ravens and Chimes - Division Street

Single review by KevW

We are, without question, well versed in New York's alternative music scene and rarely a week goes by without some new band from one of the city's boroughs pricking up our ears. Ravens and Chimes have been on the circuit for a while, releasing their debut album back in 2007. Second effort 'Holiday Life' was first made available earlier this year, but as far as the UK is concerned, the big push starts now. Their first UK single, 'Division Street' is out here on November 19th, followed by the official UK release of the second album early in 2013. It's the ideal time for the quintet to launch themselves on European shores, as it coincides with their first tour this side of the pond, dates of which can be found below.

With 'Division Street' chosen as the lead track for this jaunt, it seems apparent that they'd like to make it clear that although they're from a city currently associated with dreampop and electro-infused indie-rock, Ravens and Chimes don't quite fit the stereotype. This piano driven piece is a more traditional number, not adhering to current fads and ideals. Essentially a big and anthemic indie track condensed down into three and a half minutes, it shows both tenderness and passion with some decent harmonies. It might lack the punch and eclecticism of some of their neighbours, but nevertheless it impresses with its confidence and uncompromising nature, almost as though it's trying to disassociate itself with the hoards of hipsters they share their home with. Given the cynical nature of many British music fans, this naturalness and lack of pretension could prove to be a winning formula.



Ravens and Chimes' website

Buy the album

Catch them live:

tue 13.11.12 GER  Kiel – Pumpe/Roter Salon
wed 14.11.12 SWE Pustervik - Göteborg
thu 15.11.12 NOR Revolver – Oslo
sun 18.11.12 SWE Kopenhagen – Huset i Mag.
mo 19.11.12 GER  FFT – Düsseldorf
tue 20.11.12 GER  Haldern Pop Bar – Haldern
fri 23.11.12 ENG Brighton – The Hope
sat 24.11.12 ENG Oxford – Modern Art Oxford
sun 25.11.12 ENG Cambridge – Portland Arms / day show
mo 26.11.12 ENG London gig, venue tbc
tue 27.11.12 ENG London – Bull & Gate
wed 28.11.12 ENG Coventry – Taylor John's House
fri 30.11.12 LUX  DQLIQ – Lux. City
sat 01.12.12 NL  Guess Who – Utrecht
sun 02.12.12 NL  Haarleem – Storing
tue 04.12.12 Fr  Paris – Espace B
fri 07.12.12 CH  Kilbi Festival / Zürich
sun 09.12.12 GER  Freiburg – Swamp
mon 10.12.12 FR  Strasbourg - La LAITERIE
wed 12.12.12 NL  Amsterdam – Winston
fri 14.12.12 GER Dresden – Ostpol
sat 15.12.12 GER  Hamburg – Prinzenbar





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