Another KINK Community Review

Comment(0)

Facebook

Tweet

RSS

The Head and the Heart

April 2, 2012, 10:16 am

Head and The Heart: Cozy up with the satisfying work of this fresh new band  

If you're looking for new music and some finely crafted songs to keep you warm through our blustery spring-weather days, look no further than Seattle-based Head & The Heart's self-titled release, "Head and The Heart."  

Clever, heartfelt lyrics are the hallmark of this new folk-pop band, as well as creative song arrangements expertly punctuated by the outstanding work of keyboardist Kenny Hensley.  

The CD opens with the gentle harmonies of "Cats and Dogs," a friendly salute to country life, and drifts into "Coeur D'Alene," a love song of sorts with a chorus highlighting the vocal skills of all the band's singers - particularly violinist Charity Rose.  And the youthful enthusiasm of  "Ghosts," with its coming-of-age theme, is fun and uplifting.  

KINK listeners will warmly embrace two oft-heard tracks, both "Down in the Valley" ("Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways"), and "Lost in My Mind."  I don't mind saying the latter remains my favorite track, especially its chorus:    

"How's that bricklayin' comin'? / How's your engine runnin'? / Is that bridge gettin' built? / Are your hands gettin' filled? / Won't you tell me, my brother? / 'Cause there are stars up above / We can start moving forward…"  

I'll admit to being a huge admirer of the Avett Brothers - and if you're a fan as well - or, if your musical tastes include fresh, indie bands playing honest folk-pop melodies, you'll likely find more than a few tracks to appreciate here. There's an esprit de corps on their harmonies that's wonderful, and it's hard to get your fill of piano that's as exceptionally fun as Hensley's. The spunky but conciliatory "Honey Come Home" is another highlight.  

Having formed in 2009, "Head and The Heart" are a fairly new band, but they're not without some significant accomplishments - the first of which is, that they managed to sell 10,000 copies of their CD before they found a label ("SubPop") to sign them. 

 In March of last year, they earned the Seattle's Best New Band title from Seattle's City Arts Magazine, and in April of last year they had their network television debut on Conan. 

And, of course, they've played in KINK's Bing Lounge - Check it out here

Whether you're yearning for some inspiration on a rainy day, on the lookout for new tunes to take with you on the road, or just tired of listening to the same ol' stuff, "Head and The Heart" is sure to please and satisfy.

Thanks again to Cynthia Orlando.  Check her out on Twitter

Dave Scott