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Voice of Reason (EP)
Artist: Given 
Label: Independent
Length: 4/15:47
 

Given, based out of Kentucky, has a sound that hearkens back to early to mid-'90's.  Casey Hutchins' combines the vocal intensity of Ed Kowalczyk (Live), with a band that channels Alice in Chains, Live, and various other bands.  The result is a sound that wavers between hard rock and metal, without resorting to the contrived train wreck that is nu metal.

The EP mentioned above contains four songs, three of which are also on the full length disc.  The exception to that is "Clay," which is a mixture of Live and Huddle.  "Lost" (from From The Wreckage that Was…) has a very clean sound to it – whoever produced this album made sure the bass and drums could be heard clearly without overpowering the vocals.  

 "Looking Down" is a tinge mournful, recalling the Seattle grunge heyday of bands like Mother Love Bone.  Without beating a dead horse, though, Given most resembles Live in their overall sound, both with their guitars and, at times, vocally.  They use a method that shows they are adept musically, and clearly believe what they are singing.  The band's name refers to the second chance they were "given" after almost losing their drummer in a car crash.  It also connotes "natural ability".  My experience shows that music is more about hard work than natural ability in most cases, but after listening to these two discs, it becomes evident that Given has something on the ball.

Brian A. Smith
25 January 2006