THE TIME IT TAKES

When I heard NICE BEAVER were releasing a new album in 2015 it made me smile. I immediately went to my collection and pulled out their debut "On Dry Land" but before I played it I read the first three song titles and I once again had to smile. The thing is that this band writes memorable lyrics and memorable melodies, and despite having a rather large collection of music I remembered these songs like I played them the day before. "The Time It Takes" grew every day I listened to it until it has become my favourite by them followed by the debut then "Oregon". The lyrics and music are intelligent but it's the emotion that has me giving this 5 stars. There have been times my eyes have teared up listening to the words or hearing the uplifting music. It just doesn't get any better than this at times, it really doesn't.

"River Wide" and the closer "Waiting For The Bell To Toll" are tied for third as far as my favourite songs go on this record. The opener features a nice bass/ drum intro as the guitar cries out. Those amazing vocals join in..."yeah the river so wide". Love the guitar in this one. Mellotron after 2 1/2 minutes as it settles in for the chorus. Themes are repeated. "In Close Proximity" has riffs and mellotron early on before it settles in with vocals as these contrasts continue. There's a nice little jazzy section 3 1/2 minutes in. The song ends with some guest cello. "The Path To My House" is my second favourite song. The vocals and sound are laid back and man I love the lyrics here. It's an understated track that impresses on a few levels. I like the soaring guitar expressions after 3 1/2 minutes with the prominent bass. "Timeline" is interesting with the opening instrumental bringing TRANSATLANTIC to mind as it's fairly bombastic then we get some samples inserted around 1 1/2 minutes related to the World's timeline. Vocals follow then I love the instrumental section 3 1/2 minutes in. Vocals return as it calms down 5 minutes.

"Rainbow's End" will go down as probably my favourite song of 2015. Sentimental is the word as he describes a place that means so much to him. It's his rainbow's end. I can't tell you how much this song moves me emotionally. "Just beyond the river bend... a yard with daffodils... flowers in the window sill". Then it kicks in hard as the vocals turn passionate. My God! "Freshly painted garden fence... plot of roses by the door". Then it kicks in again. So emotional as a guitar solo follows. "Safe behind the garden fence... where ravens are your only friend... just beyond the river bend". He then repeats "Look around, look around" over and over. Ah yes God's beauty, the rainbow's end. "The Time It Takes" might be the first title track I would rate as my least favourite on any album I own but it's still really good. The guitar sounds so good to start us off as it is picked and the drums sound amazing as well. Some excellent synths here that I really appreciate as they are melancholic. Laid back vocals 2 1/2 minutes in then it kicks into gear a minute later but settles back quickly with organ and more. It's heavy before 5 minutes with the synths crying out over top. So good! Emotional vocals and guitar follow as this song gets better as it plays out.

"Sound Behind Sound" opens with atmosphere before it kicks in at 2 minutes. Love the guitar and bass in that feel good section. Piano comes to the fore then vocals before 3 1/2 minutes. Killer bass here. "Spread the word around, the band is back in town". Hell ya they are! "Waiting For The Bell To Toll" is the over 11 minute closer. Talk about memorable lyrics and man they sound so damn good too instrumentally. Uplifting is the word. The guitar is so fine, love that melody. Ripping guitar before 4 minutes then it settles into a beautiful section. An impressive instrumental passage takes over 6 1/2 minutes in then the vocals return. Check out the guitar before 10 minutes as well.

I'll be honest, when I heard they were back after an over 10 year hiatus I wasn't expecting the new album to surpass the first two. They both spoke to me while this one goes beyond that.