Drift (The Devlins album)

Drift is the debut album by the Irish band the Devlins, released in 1993.[1][2] It was delayed due to organizational changes at Capitol Records; a rerelease campaign also followed in 1994.[3][4] The first single was "I Knew That".[5] The band supported the album with a North American tour that included shows with Sarah McLachlan.[6][7] Drift was a modest commercial success.[8]

Drift
Studio album by
the Devlins
Released1993
LabelCapitol
ProducerMalcolm Burn, Robert Bell
The Devlins chronology
Drift
(1993)		 Waiting
(1997)

Production

The album was produced primarily by Malcolm Burn; it was his second credited album production, and he was chosen in part due to his inexperience.[5][3] Robert Bell worked on one of the tracks.[9] Drift was recorded at the Devlins' home studio, Kingsway Studio, and AIR Studios.[6] Although the band didn't think there was much of an "Irish quality" to the album, they were influenced by the sound of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks.[10] Most of the album's songs were written by singer Colin Devlin.[11] The title track is about feeling detached from people.[12] "I Knew That" is about a failed romantic relationship.[13]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
Chicago Tribune[15]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[9]

The Kitchener-Waterloo Record deemed the album "primarily acoustic music, of a folk-rock nature, and the Devlins' songs cohere nicely to the strengths of that genre ... the true strength here might well be lyrical rather than musical."[16] Rolling Stone wrote that the band "capitalizes on singer-songwriter-guitarist Colin Devlin's precocious pop sensibility, opting for the lithe arrangements that allow the group ... to experiment with different textures while still giving the melodies room to breathe."[17] Stereo Review opined that "the rhythm section, bassist Peter Devlin and drummer Sean Devitt, gives these tunes a crackling energy reminiscent of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie."[18] The Chicago Tribune determined that the Devlin brothers "try too hard to be like U2 and INXS."[15] The Times Colonist praised the "bright, pop sensibility, glorious sibling harmonies, and strong, surprisingly mature lyrics."[19]

AllMusic wrote that "hushing vocals carry the entire 11-song set list and make Drift an ethereal beauty."[14]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."I Knew That" 
2."Every Time You Go" 
3."Turn You 'Round" 
4."Drift" 
5."Almost Made You Smile" 
6."Alone in the Dark" 
7."Someone to Talk To" 
8."Necessary Evil" 
9."As Far as You Can Go" 
10."I Don't Want to Be Like This" 
11."Until the Light Shines Through" 

References
  1. "The Devlins Biography by Craig Harris". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. "Picks & pans – Drift by The Devlins". People. Vol. 40, no. 7. Aug 16, 1993. p. 26.
  3. Burliuk, Greg (31 Mar 1994). "Kingston concert a memorable one". Entertainment. The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 35.
  4. Weiler, Derek (7 Apr 1994). "Drift". The Kitchener-Waterloo Record. p. D6.
  5. "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 20. May 15, 1993. p. 54.
  6. Applefeld, Catherine (Jun 12, 1993). "Developing Devlins". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 24. p. 17.
  7. Saxberg, Lynn (31 Mar 1994). "McLachlan receives warm welcome home". Ottawa Citizen. p. E2.
  8. Morse, Steve (1 July 1994). "Devlins Shine". Arts. The Boston Globe. p. 58.
  9. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 199.
  10. Muretich, James (15 May 1994). "Timeless Atmosphere Spurs the Devlins". Calgary Herald. p. B7.
  11. McDonald, Sam (15 July 1994). "Devlins Get Their Due". InRoads. Daily Press. Newport News. p. 17.
  12. Schulman, Sandra (10 Apr 1994). "Devlin breathes, weaves". Sun Sentinel. p. 3F.
  13. Semon, Craig S. (24 July 1994). "Dublin's Devlins explore the many moods of love". Datebook. Telegram & Gazette. p. 10.
  14. "Drift Review by MacKenzie Wilson". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  15. Webber, Brad (9 Sep 1993). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 9.
  16. Randall, Neil (13 May 1993). "Drift The Devlins". The Kitchener-Waterloo Record. p. D9.
  17. Gardner, Elysa (Jun 10, 1993). "Recordings — Drift by The Devlins". Rolling Stone. No. 658. p. 70.
  18. "Popular music – Drift by The Devlins". Stereo Review. Vol. 58, no. 9. Sep 1993. p. 94.
  19. Blake, Joseph (17 May 1994). "Wednesday night at the Royal Theatre...". Times Colonist. p. 1.
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