It's not often you stick on a debut album from an unknown band and get drawn in immediately. However, Overload is definitely one of those rare releases that gets all the ingredients right. Even more delightful is that Rich (should read Garrett) is a very able lead guitarist, and not many new British bands can claim that particular advantage.

It's what we're always looking for of course and stands out on the title track [Overload], We're Done and on the funky Human Condition. There's a softer element on Fish Fin Walking that's equally appealing and the curious Speeding Train (which does speed up) all helping to provide a series of contrasts. A very refreshing and worthwhile album indeed!

The band is currently gigging extensively in their home county of Devon but are travelling to further areas soon so make sure you get to see them.

Like all good things, it took a little time before Overload fully gave up its treasures.

First impressions were that the five-piece from Tavistock Devon were walking the same melodic, soft rock streets as American supergroup The Dave Matthews Band, and apart from the difference tens of thousands of dollars make to production, the two are not that far apart.

That impression was reinforced by the title track and Simply Falling, both of which echo the kind of pleasant, non-threatening sound that is the trademark of Matthews, leader of a band who fill stadia in the US but walk the streets largely unnoticed over here.

However, subtlely but definitely, Overload began to transform itself. While singer Dave Rich has the kind of voice that sits comfortably in the mix rather than soaring above it, he extracts every last ounce out of the changes of mood that make Overload an intricate and delicately fascinating piece of work.

From being a slice of mid-Atlantic rock, the tone of Overload shifted and Wish The Nights Were Days, heralded the arrival of a more British, quirky, folk-influenced Overload.

From this point, it was if the band had discovered its true voice and the album grew and blossomed, by the time Nobodys Perfect arrived not only was it a defining moment for the band, it was in the context of the album, a contradiction.

The Dave Rich Band may draw on many influences but if Overload proves one thing, its that when you put your trust in your own talent, the results are magical.

Dave Rich is a fine lead vocalist who is also a very good songwriter. This is a creditable first album release by a promising group still in their early days, who could go a long way.

The Dave Rich Band hails from the moors of Devon and interestingly does not fit into any particular pigeonhole. Blasting on to the stage with On The Balcony from the superb debut album Overload this band had energy and an ability to keep your attention throughout the ninety-minute set.

At times I could hear touches of Prefab Sprout and Aztec Camera in the sound that they created. Dave has written a clutch of songs that are catchy and well crafted. When coupled with the obvious playing abilities of the four musicians that he has surrounded himself with, the band have something that marks them out as well worthy of potential success.

Tracks tonight included Speeding Train, Simply Falling, Sinking Feet Run Slow, the rather bizarrely titled Fish Finned Walking and a very evocative new song called The Day We Died about men forced to be part of squads executing soldiers accused of cowardice in the First World War.

On the tour de forces Human Condition and Driving By The Light Of The Moon the band kicked into jazz mode with loads of room for extemporising. The set closed with a brilliant seamless merging of Bruce Hornsby's Fortunate Son and Pink Floyd's classic Comfortably Numb.

This debut album for the Dave Rich Band shows them to be a very talented bunch of musicians, not afraid to lead with acoustic guitar or piano, and who draw on a variety of influences from the blues of Clapton, the scope of Floyd and the jamming of Bruce Hornsby. There's more than a little Sting influence too, which is what most comes to mind whilst listening: a kind of souped up Sting.

The tracks are very well written, almost crafted, and there lies the strength of the unit. Build on that and with a favourable wind, who knows what could happen. One to watch out for I think.

As trailed in last Thursday's Lowe Down column, the Tavistock based Dave Rich Band is currently on an extensive UK tour to promote the band's debut album on Livid Records, entitled Overload.

So far the tour has taken in dates in Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Bromsgrove and Cardiff, and from November 4th, the third leg of the tour includes appearances in Worthing, Sussex, St Austell and St Kew Highway in Cornwall, as well as Cullompton and Tavistock in Devon.

Tonight though, the tour's second leg itinerary brings the band to Newton Abbot for a concert at the Jolly Farmer. Formed as recently as early 2005, the Dave Rich Band lines up with Andreas Matthews (bass), Brian Garrett (guitar), Julz Lewis (drums), Laura Frost [should read Kaye] (back-up vocals and percussion) and Dave Rich on piano, guitar and vocals.

In common with most musicians, the individual members of the band freely admit that they draw inspiration from a wide range of influential rock music figures, including Bruce Hornsby, Sting, Pink Floyd and Eric Clapton to name just a few.

However, the Dave Rich Band has brought its own highly distinctive sound to bear in the studio and this shows in the fine debut album I've been listening to while writing this piece.

In short, Overload is one of the most polished and melodic releases I've heard in years. It is beautifully thought-out and brilliantly executed work which deserves nationwide radio play every hour of the day. My one regret is that my own BBC Radio production brief doesn't permit me to feature such recently released material. If it did, I'd be airing selected tracks from Overload at every opportunity.

Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, I won't be able to attend tonight's Jolly Farmer concert by DRB. I would however, be interested in any feedback from local live music fans who are able to get to the gig. By the way, more information on the Dave Rich Band can be found online at www.daverichband.com