Stronger than You'd Think
Patrick Duganz | Missoula, MT USA | 04/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Most of the time when a band releases a debut EP it can't be described as amazing. Promising? Yes. But rarely can a debut EP be described as amazing.
The debut EP from Headlights breaks the mold. This EP is staggeringly good. Erin Fein (vocals/keyboards), Brett Sanderson (drums) and Tristan Wraight (vocals/guitar/bass), just flat out rock.
The strongest track on the album is obviously "Everyone Needs a Fence to Lean On" (I'm not alone in this opinion, the track was recently featured on Grey's Anatomy), which starts with vocals from Fein that haunt like those of Chan Marshall, but are of a softer, instantly embracing sort. After that the song takes a turn and becomes an upbeat toe-tapper that will have you singing along with what is quite possibly the best hook I've ever heard.
The EP opener, "Tokyo," almost begins like a Pixies song, but then sweeps into a melodic start and stop indie-electronica track. The middle tracks "Centuries" and "It Isn't Easy to Live That Well" can be compared to Postal Service songs, but that gives the wrong impression of these tracks, which take what some would call a "stock sound" and turns it on its head (Take the Velvet Underground-esque solo in "It Isn't Easy..." for instance).
Having recently seen the band live here in Missoula, Mont. I can say that they are also a great live band as well, and if you get the chance to see them why not pick up their 7-inch single as well?
Their album is due May 9, but you should definetly listen to this before then. It is well worth purchasing."