ABC,
Aimee Mann,
American Hi-Fi,
B-52s,
Badfinger,
Bangles,
Beatles,
Big Star,
Bill Lloyd,
Blondie,
Boston,
Brendan Benson,
Brian Stevens,
Candy Skins,
Cars,
Cavedogs,
Cheap Trick,
Creeper Lagoon,
Crosby Still & Nash,
Death Cab for Cutie,
Deathray,
Del Amitri,
ELO,
Elton John,
Flourescein,
Foo fighters,
Foreigner,
Fountains of Wayne,
Freedy Johnston,
Gas Giants,
GBV,
Gigolo Aunts,
Gin Blossoms,
Gloritone,
Grays,
Greenberry Woods,
Guster,
Hang Ups,
Hollies,
Jackson Browne,
Jason Falkner
Jason Falkner,
Jellybricks,
Jellyfish,
Jen Trynin,
Jet,
Jon Brion,
Journey,
Kansas,
Keane,
Keepers,
Ken Stringfellow,
Knack,
Libido,
Matthew Sweet,
Mayflies USA,
Michael Penn,
New Pornagraphers,
Nick Heyward,
Oranger,
Outfield,
Owsley,
Paul Westerberg,
Peter Gabriel,
Posies,
Promise Ring,
Queen,
Radiohead,
Rembrandts,
Richard X. Heyman,
Rosenbergs,
Semisonic,
Sheryl Crow,
Shift,
Smithereens,
Squeeze,
Sugar,
Sugarplastic,
Super Deluxe,
Superdrag,
Susanna Hoffs,
Tearaways,
Teenage Fanclub,
Thorns,
Thrills,
Toad the Wet Sprocket,
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,
True Love,
Tsar,
Tubes,
Velvet Crush,
Verbow,
Vines,
Who,
XTC,
“Full of hooks and strong guitar chords, this CD will take you back to the 80's when bands like REM where stretching the limits of New Wave. Laurens Vernot , who is the band, has a strong understanding of how to write a pop song, and rarely deviates. You might find yourself delightfully surprised by this unassuming CD.”
thepromiselive.blogspot.com June, 2007
“Laurens Vernot clearly has big dreams, and seems to cast the net of his songs wide enough that he might just catch one. Easily beguiling enough to appear in the opening sequence of a PG movie . . .his songs also maintain just enough edge to cause older fans of late 80s and mid-90s radio rock to take notice . . . Vernot’s clear, doubled vocals and easy-access melodies have a universal quality aimed to please . . .”
onlinerock.com February, 2007
“Writing, singing, and playing all instruments except the drums, SoCal’s Laurens Vernot proves to be multi-talented on his debut. This is an excellent effort featuring acoustic-driven music with just the right amount of electric energy. With roots in classic rock but a strong modern alt feel, there is a comfortable vibe and distinct edginess. His varied guitar personalities and smooth, fervent vocal presentation delectably flavor the songs.”
musicmorsels.com January, 2007
“Gripping debut album from The Lava Province that really sneaks up on you. First listen, it comes across as a bit laid back but second and third listens reveals not only lots of special aural levels, sinewy melodic builds, unusual melodies, but a powerful pop punch. They sound not like any particular parade of pop bands, but at different times, you..ll hear echoes, pleasant ones, of Squeeze, The Posies ("Back Here Again" best example of this), Superdrag, The Well Wishers and a bit of the poppy side of Sugar. This one started out as being "very" on the recommended scales has pushed into the "Extremely Highly Recommended" podium in a most unique manner. “
Bruce Brodeen , NotLame Records October, 2006
“A gentle reminder of how much fun we had growing up listening to 70’s album rock stations, ‘Strangeway’ is the perfect anachronism that suggests that there are indeed a few artists out there who do ‘write ‘em like they used to’ and Laurens Vernot is comfortably perched atop that list”
foxydigitalis.com October, 2006
"The Lava Province's debut Strangeway has been compared to many things – Warren Zevon, R.E.M., classic rock, and basically every band or artist with that kind of sound since 1970. Well, I'm gonna throw two more artists into the mix. For me, Laurens Vernot (or The Lava Province as he goes by these days) sounds like a cross between the Matthew Good Band and Matthew Sweet. He's got all the dystopian views of Matthew Good, but set to the catchy, hook-laden stuff that bled from Matthew Sweet's veins in the early 90s.
The title track sounds very similar to Matthew Good's 'Hello Time Bomb', and in my eyes, that's definitely not a bad comparison. The chorus has the negative vibes I referred to earlier, and all the paranoia you could ask for "I gotta get out of this town / They're looking at me in a strange way". This track lets you know immediately what the rest of the album is going to be like: downtrodden, end-of-the-world, oh isn't it all crap really lyrics, with a classic rock feel. And since we all love a bit of classic rock now and then, what's wrong with that? (Go on, admit it, you have the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival on right now, don't you?)
'Back Here Again' is the most radio-friendly of the songs here (read: why I compared The Lava Province to Matthew Sweet). It's even got all the "wooo"s in the chorus, see what I mean? 'Come to Me' has a similar sing-along feel, with a neat, bouncy chorus. 'Better off at Home' is a jaunty song, almost like a sea shanty, or a pirate song - perfect for that midday drive on a Sunday. 'Let It Go On' was given a good review by Terri in Track-Fu before, and if that's not recommendation enough for anyone, I don't know what is...
'April & October' is a sweet little ballad (see what I did there: "sweet" as in Matthew Sweet – aren't I clever?) 'An Average Man' sounds a lot like Ben Folds 'Not The Same', and when I say "a lot", I mean I think they could almost be the same song. But don't call me up to give evidence in court, I'm not available Monday-Sunday. Ever.
'Can't Keep Away' is a really old-school rock song, complete with self-depreciating lyrics "What could she want with me / I'm a champion zero". It does grate a bit toward the end though – how many times can one man sing the line "And you just can't keep, can't keep me away"? 'California Dream' doesn't have anything to add to the music scene – okay classic rock is good, but try and make it interesting, you pulled it off most everywhere else Laurens.
Tracks to Hear: 'Come to Me', 'Back Here Again', 'Strangeway', 'Let It Go On'
SCORE: 8
I love it when I get sent albums like this: albums from artists I have never heard of, that turn out to be excellent. It's this kind of thing which makes it all worthwhile. And for that I have to give thanks to Dan, and some guy called Laurens too, I suppose."
twowaymonologues.com February 2007
.. --> CDBABY LINK for THE LAVA PROVINCE: strangeway -->
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Just stopping by to say hello and give you some news. The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and also directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and also directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
Howdy, partner! Do you still want my vocal support on the 26th? If so, what are we singing? I think I'll need copies of the music & lyrics again, so I thought I should check in. I hope you're doing wonderfully well.
I'll be there tonight with bells on. I'll be late, but rest assured, there will be bells. Possibly a cowbell which will most likely played loudly with reckless abandon at inopportune times. Are you sure you want me to come? : )
Yo, how you livin'?( I'm going to start talking like that to get more street cred.) I'll get the details about your show from your page and I'll do my best to make it. Kick some arse whether I'm there or not!!!
Howdy! Long time no see. How are Mr. Harrington and the whole cast of characters faring in the studio? I can't wait to hear the new stuff! The Dream EP is done, so I can give you some copies, if you like. Cheers!
Hey guys - we are being featured on The Posies Tribute Album page today with our version of "Golden Blunders". Please check it out and comment on their page if you like it. We would really like to be selected to be on this project. Thanks for your support! TSB
Singing lessons BLECH!!!! Oooohhh were u beautiful couple #1 in the middle table or the beutiful couple #2 in the corner??? U should have said hi!!!! i was totally sick that night and on top of that ended up having to leave b4 the last guy finished to drive my friend home who's BF didn't make it to take her home himself... she likes to oh get sleep b4 work the next day i like to stay until everyone is done playing!!! The two people that joined my friend & I at our table were Bobbo & Tracy from The Fallen Stars (on my top page) they are from HB also! See we could have all chatted!!! But no kissing and hugging cause i was sicky-sick! Anyways.. thank you for checking it out!!! If u want to play that Wed. Acoustic Night Josh Cross 'Crybaby' books it he is in my top friends u should give him a nudge if u r interested!! ok should we be in the same place ever again the one will introduce him/herself to the other, deal???!!! Still diggin yr music on here...
Hey Laurens, thanks for the kind comments you left...wow, a month ago already? (I guess I need to get online more often). Hey,I finally got a chance to listen to the Lava Province CD. Drummer got copy at IPO, but finally let me borrow it. Nice recording! Seriously great job all around. I hope you enjoyed our tunes as well. Have a good one! Tom - from Poplord, somewhere in the big Central Valley
Hello to another HB artist! Very Cool! Yr sound is exactly as described... interesting how all those different elements are weaved together. I am particularly taken by the lyrics of 'The Sign'.
