Dear and the Headlights - Drunk Like Bible Times
Rating
RIYL
Frightened RabbitMidlake
The Honorary Title
Rocky Votolato
Label
Equal VisionTracklist
1. I’m Not Crying. You’re Not Crying, Are You?2. Bad News
3. Carl Solomon Blues
4. Willetta
5. Talk About
6. Saintly Rows (Oh Oh)
7. Flowers For My Brain
8. Now It’s Over
9. Parallel Lines
10. If Not For My Glasses
11. Try
12. I Know
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They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you also shouldn’t judge a band by its name. This holds true for Dear and the Headlights, whose unfortunate moniker gives little indication of the creative musical energy emitted by these fine gentlemen. Building on their impressive debut, Drunk Like Bible Times is a release filled with indie-pop and folk tunes that are bound to please fans. Avoiding the ‘sophomore slump’ is not easy for a young and promising group such as this, but their organic approach to songwriting finds them releasing a formidable album at an early point in their career.
The songs found on this record sound like they could have fit seamlessly on Small Steps, Heavy Hooves. This conservative angle is not necessarily a significant fault but it does leave an air of sameness. The opening tracks are a hat-trick of catchy rock songs that, although formulaic, are very effective in grabbing the listener’s attention. “Bad News” is a prime example of the solid songwriting which they are capable of. The rhythm shuffles quietly along while the vocals establish a rise in tension that culminates in cries of, “It’s bad news for you / Haven’t felt this way in a long time.”
The first thing that stands out on any of these tracks is the vocals of Ian Metzger. His range is impressive, and he spews out each syllable like it will be his last. The intensity in his voice helps drive home the lyrics, which are very intriguing throughout the entire album. The trouble with the vocals beings so prominent is that they tend to overshadow the rest of the band on a lot of songs. The quivering vocals sometimes become too much and overcompensate, drifting your attention away from some of the more interesting moments created by the other instruments.
The rhythm section is especially notable and certainly does their part in creating beats that keep your feet moving and your head bobbing. The guitars typically contain the jingly rhythms and bluesy melodies that you would expect for this style of music. Additional instruments and subtle electronics are also employed sparingly to accent appropriate songs. Anyone who has been enjoying Frightened Rabbit or are looking for a less orchestral version of Arcade Fire will undoubtedly find something to enjoy here.
Drunk Like Bible Times certainly feels like a transitional album and one that will keep fans happy, but it isn’t going to wow any new listeners. Suffering from familiarity is the only thing that hinders the album and keeps it from becoming a fully captivating experience from front to back. When the band hits the mark, as they do on “Now It’s Over” and “I Know”, they prove that they can write truly memorable songs which are able to distinguish them from their peers. “I Know” ends the record on its most experimental and distinguishable note. The unexpectedly dark introduction motions into dark and dissonant territory with blankets of fuzz elevating before the bridge. Of course no one wants to end on such a dreary note so the surprisingly smooth transition into a handclap sing-along is a welcome change of pace. The song presents the kinds of risks I was hoping to hear more of on the album. It’s a good place to end and a bright window into the future of the band, hinting that they may be able to reach their potential after all.
--Dave Spak
Comments
Baltimore, MD
Last.fm | RateYourMusic
Fishers, Indiana
I'd have to disagree as I fall into this category. I was totally unimpressed after a few songs on the last album and never finished it, but I absolutely adore this one.
"Suffering from familiarity is the only thing that hinders the album and keeps it from becoming a fully captivating experience from front to back."
See, I'd have to disagree here, too. I think the songs provide a great variety in structure, overall sound and "feel," and tempo throughout the album. The last one seemed to trudge along at a melancholy pace, for most of the time. That one is the one that feels samey to me.
And I like how I just said the exact opposite thing of the guy before me. I don't know. I've literally spun this album over 30 times since it dropped. Maybe I'm too close to at this point, but I do remember I found a couple standout tracks that really impressed me on the first listen. And when I heard "I Know" for the first time I must've shat myself in glee. That song is one of my tops for this year; definitely on the same plane as Set in Motion by Misery Signals, Teacher, Preacher by Damiera, and The Missing Piece by Forgive Durden.
But eh.
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