Produced by the go-to man for young British metal bands,
Matt O'Grady (
You Me at Six,
Architects), Norwich four-piece
Deaf Havana's second album,
Fools and Worthless Liars, used the departure of screamcore frontman Ryan Mellor as an opportunity to pursue a more melodic but still punchy rock sound inspired by the likes of
Jimmy Eat World and
Foo Fighters. Now with James Veck-Gilodi on lead vocals, the follow-up to 2009's
Meet Me Halfway, at Least largely eschews their previous post-hardcore leanings, as evident on the anthemic lead single "I'm a Bore, Mostly..." and the collaboration with singer/songwriter Portia Conn on "Little White Lies." ~ Jon O'Brien