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Haverford - Alaskan Summer

Molly Bowman | July 25, 2014

Haverford’s EP Alaskan Summer has been sitting in my tabs on Google Chrome since the first time I listened to it. Something about this five person alternative band from Long Island makes me want to listen to the EP nonstop. Initially, I kept listening because I couldn’t decide who the band was reminding me of, (eventually I came to the conclusion that they reminded me a little bit of Los Campesinos! due to the similar vocals), but the sound and lyrics of this group are really choice as well. I will have to admit, I was really curious to know if an Alaskan summer was hot at all… Google says it’s pretty pleasant.

 

Alaskan Summer opens with a track entitled “Monuments” that opens the EP with a bit of a raw, indie sound. This track is pretty short but it sets a really good tone for the rest of the EP. Also, the ending of this song blends really well into the following song, and it makes the transition from one song to the next really fun to listen to.

 

The second song on this EP, “Alaska,” is probably my favorite song on the EP. The song has an unrequited love vibe going for it, which works because it’s something that everyone can relate to in some way or another. The line in this song that makes me love it so much however, is easily “I need to better know the space you hide your teeth in.” This lyric stays stuck in my head after I listen to it, and plus it’s so visual and poetic. Finally, this song has a really interesting break in the music that then comes back into the last verse, and it really forces the listener pay attention to it.  

 

Okay, I’m going to be honest with you guys. When I saw the title for “Aaron’s Party,” I did a quick prayer to the pop music gods that this wasn’t an Aaron Carter cover song. If you remember who he is, you’re probably pretty thankful that this isn’t a cover of that song. Rather than the song by the same name, this song is a very solid alternative one. It’s a bit slower than that of the aforementioned “Alaska” however, which adds a different element to the EP as a whole by keeping the tempos of the songs mixed up.

 

Alaskan Summer ends as it begins with a bit of a shorter song, this last song being “Rain Candle.” I love songs that invoke a sense of daydreaming fantasy, like where you’d rather be during the track that’s playing. For me, this was easily one of those songs, with the situation obviously being that of the titular rainy day reference. The EP ending on this slower, more somber song works really well, too.

 

Overall, I really loved this EP and Haverford is a band that I’m excited to here more from in the future. If you’re interested in hearing them, check out their BandCamp page or their Facebook page.

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