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Laurens Vernot's solo debut Strangeway under the moniker The Lava Province is a three year effort that covers a lot of ground. Apparently influence by "70's album-oriented radio and current pop," Strangeway seems to draw much of its sound from R.E.M.-era college radio rock. The opener "Strangeway" sets the mood of a poppy, yet edgy CD. Vernot's voice ranges from deep and calm to thick and cutting, supported by multi-voiced harmonies. "The Sign" is the strongest track, using a simple chord progression to drive a groove that is unmatched anywhere else on the CD. Paired with a slightly dark verse, Vernot is able to create the perfect balance of pop and rock. Reflecting on a failed relationship, "Back Here Again" has the feel of an early 90's Gin Blossoms song, and is also held together with a strong verse-hook pairing. The aforementioned feel of Michael Stipe is present in the harmony-infused "Come to Me," which sways in and out of Vernot's voice throughout the CD. Yet perhaps the result of being written and recorded over the course of three years, the album is a bit uneven. While it begins fairly strong, the second half is a bit lacking. Vernot slips into a much slower, adult contemporary style - leaving the energy from the first half wasted. The exception here is "California Dream," which also differs in style from the first half of the CD, in that the 'beach party' hook feels out of place. Combined with "Can't Keep Me Away," straight out of the play book of Pat Benatar, it is obvious that the influences of the album are a bit conflicting. As explained by Vernot regarding his choice of name, a 'lava province' is a flow of lava that covers a vast area of the earth. However, by focusing his attention on what he has accomplished in the first half of Strangeway, he will realize that there is certainly no need to cover such a vast area of musical tastes.

The Lava Province at Amazon & Insound