It seems like every week there is a new “must-hear” band in Seattle and up-and-coming locals The Head and The Heart are no exception. Their self-titled debut, full of sweet harmonies over catchy piano melodies, hand claps and foot stomps fits right in with the recent folk revival and they have quickly become my new favorite band in the last few weeks.
The Head and the Heart are a six-piece composed largely of transplants to the Seattle area. The album is so tight and confident that it is surprising this is their first release and their sound has already garnered comparisons to pop masters such as The Beatles, Rufus Wainwright and The Avett Brothers. These are claims that are not undeserved. Even upon first listen the songs carry such a familiarity that it feels as though this has been my favorite album for years. Upon the second listen, I was already singing along to their original, heartfelt lyrics and drumming my fingers to their charming beats and melodies.
Right from track one (“Cats and Dogs”) we get a quick and simple introduction to their sound with lovely three-part harmonies, minimalist percussion, rousing piano and grooving bass. The songs tell a story of moving forward, fresh starts and the ghosts that are left behind and as the album unfolded. I couldn’t help but fall in love. By the time I reached “Sounds Like Hallelujah” I wanted to listen to the whole thing over and over again. Tonight you can catch The Head and the Heart playing with local psychedelic pop ensemble Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground at Columbia City Theater.
Kay Kay popped onto the scene a few years ago with their trippy self-titled album featuring sweet pop orchestrations full of wonderful and weird combinations of whistles, claps, strings, chants and a tuba! Kirk Huffman, Kyle O’Quin and Phil Petersen are at the helm of this ragtag band that boasts a rotating cast of 14 local musicians who can be found playing with other myriad of bands ranging from Wild Orchid Children to The Lashes.
Their first album takes the listener on a twisting aural journey that tells the story of a man slowly losing his mind. Each song twist and turns in its own way and often starts in one place and ends in another leaving the listener asking themselves if that was one song or seven. Their newest album, “Introducing Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground” is just as topsy turvy and is currently only available on their Myspace page.
Tonight’s show starts at 9 p.m. and costs $12.
*** Head and the Heart at CHBP 2010 photo by Jason Tang
