The tender tendrils of vocals that confront the listeners during Devics’ first track on “Push the Heart”, “Lie to Me” should do nothing less than induce chills up and down their spine. The dreamy atmosphere that is created on “Lie to Me” really mixes together “Mechanical Animals” era Marilyn Manson, Tori Amos and Pink Floyd; the vocals, however strung out they may be really is grounded in the pop tradition. The different instrumental sound on “Secret Message to You” (which could conceivably be a Morse code generator), coupled with an accordion further introduces listeners to Devics’ rich sound. In a way, Devics can be compared to the Dresden Dolls, in that both acts really take a lot of their sound from a previous period in popular music and make it germane and relevant to current listeners. The fact that the Devics can continue on this path for nearly five minutes on some track really show them as capable musicians who have no limits to their creativity.

The continue use of the piano in tracks like “Salty Seas” really puts Devics in the same general genre as artists like Devendra Banhart; unlike Banhart, Devics really come forth with continually-interesting songs, both in terms of the arrangements and vocals present. When the band makes an outright ploy to update their sound (as is the case with “Song For a Sleeping Girl”), there is honestly nothing similar sounding currently out on the market. There are so many different threads of sounds and genres that float free through a Devics track that individuals of all stripes will find something that they can love on “Push the Heart”. While the band has been huge everywhere besides the United States in 2005, this album will undoubtedly sweep through college alternative stations and make Devics the biggest band of 2006. “Distant Radio” really places the band near Sixpence None The Richer, but with a strong instrumentation and sense of arrangement than their pop-primed Christian ancestor ever had.

Without a weak track on “Push The Heart”, Devics make a case for their style of alternative (indie) rock to be the dominate format in the next few years. With a soul that belies the soft-spoken vocal output of the band, Devics has something for everyone. The great thing about tracks like “Just One Breath” is that Devics have stuffed the track so full that even the most savvy listener will not be able to pick up all the distinct layers.

Top Tracks: Just One Breath, Salty Seas

Rating: 7.6/10

[JMcQ]