The Head and the Heart – Signs of Light (Album Review)

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Formed in 2009, in Washington, United States, The Head and the Heart consists of Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, percussion), Charity Rose Thielen (violin, banjo, vocals), Chris Zasche (bass), Kenny Hensley (piano), and Tyler Williams (drums). The Indie Folk band released its self-titled debut album in 2011, which in some corners sounded like early R.E.M. (“So. Central Rain”) and also Barenaked Ladies (“The Wrong Man Was Convicted”) in the Canadian band’s most laidback and folky predisposition. The follow-up came in 2013, in the form of the musically dramatic Let’s Be Still – a collection of partially upbeat, partially slow tracks that also exudes ’60s Psychedelic Folk sensibilities in the veins of The Incredible String Band (“Painting Box”). Then, three years after, The Head and the Heart release its third album.

Released on September 9, 2016, The Head and the Heart’s latest offering, Signs of Light, may be regarded as a melodic improvement of its predecessors. Whereas the previous albums were more Folk-rooted, Signs of Light shines more brightly with its engaging Pop-oriented songs that feature memorable vocal melodies and lusher instrumentation. It opens with the beautifully orchestrated and anthemic mid-tempo track “All We Ever Knew.” The ensuing “City of Angels” picks up the tempo some more, as if wooing the listener to the alluring lights of the dance floor. Then there is the graceful sway and swing of “Rhythm & Blues.”

“False Alarm” is a change of mood and style; it will surely lure enthusiasts of Indie Pop with its twee and cutesy music-box sensibilities; Filipino enthusiasts of the genre will certainly hear aural similarities with the song “Markers of Beautiful Memories” by the Philippine band The Camerawalls. “Dreamer” slows down the mood, harking to the somber, yet sunny sentiments of ’60s Psychedelic Pop groups like The Zombies (“Time of the Season”), The Hollies (“Carrie Anne”), and The Left Banke (“Walk Away, Renée”). Then there is the classic-sounding Guitar Folk track “Library Magic” – another ’60s throwback, this time exuding like an adrenalized “Scarborough Fair” of Simon & Garfunkel.

“Turn It Around” returns the listener to the trademark chiming and haunting Pastoral Folk sound of The Head and the Heart, owing to the bell kit melody, contrapuntal vocal harmony, woodwind flourishes, and percussive blocks. This will not be out of place when played alongside stylistically similar songs by Imagine Dragons (“It’s Time”), American Authors (“What We Live For”), Mumford & Sons (“I Will Wait”), Fleet Foxes (“Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”), The Lumineers (“Flowers in Your Hair”), and Boy & Bear (“Golden Jubilee”). The next tracks, “Colors” and “Take a Walk,” follow the same Folk Rock style, yet more melodic and have traces of Coldplay’s Chris Martin’s falsettos and Simon & Garfunkel’s vocal harmony, respectively. “Oh My Dear,” on the other hand, serves as a breather with its slow tempo and bluesy tendencies. “I Don’t Mind” will most likely be another instant favorite of Indie Pop kids because of the song’s dancey beat, cyclical guitars, mild string orchestration, and synthesizer melodies. Second-to-the-last song, “Your Mother’s Eyes” enters with its subtly angular guitar strums and then proceeds into a slow and quiet buildup, singing a heartwarming lyrical sentiment. Finally, The Head and the Heart wraps up its new accomplishment with the somber, meditative, and slow piano-led ballad title track.

Overall, the music of The Head and the Heart resides in the Pastoral Folk–rooted realms of Indie Pop music. Assessing the band’s music from album to album, one can fairly say that the members of the relatively young band have still lots of surprises to offer. With Signs of Light, they have clearly shown that their music has the ability to stay grounded in their roots, yet has also the capability to explore further the modern aspects of the genres that they decided to work within. CrypticRock gives Signs of Light 4 out of 5 stars.

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