Album Review: Dear and the Headlights-Small Steps, Heavy Hooves

The album I’m reviewing is pretty old, and it’s not even the band’s latest album, but I’ve been listening to it a lot lately and I felt so inclined to give my opinion on Dear and the Headlights’ “Small Steps, Heavy Hooves.”

Dear and the Headlights is a unique 5-piece indie rock band from Phoenix, Arizona. In 2007 they released their first full length album "Small Steps, Heavy Hoove"s on Equal Vision Records. The album is an emotional rollercoaster offering blissfully happy tracks as well as dark depressing ones.

The album begins with a slower acoustic track, "Oh No!", but quickly moves into their upbeat high tempo sound with the second track, “Sweet Talk,” an lyrically interesting track where the singer expresses distaste for his former love’s new boyfriend. Ian Metzger has a wonderful way of making his vocal melodies really define a common sound on all of their songs.

The album continues with soulful melody in “Hallelujah,” and the utter hopelessness of “Happy in Love.” The next song on the album, “I’m Bored, You’re Amorous” is a melodic journey with multiple picking guitar parts and inspiring lyrics. The middle tracks on the album showcase P.J. Waxman’s creative leads and Patrick Taylor’s groovy bass lines.

The album’s 10^th track is one of the most emotional songs the group has written. “Run In Front” one of the first three songs the group recorded and truly showcases how Metzger puts his heart and soul into his music. It’s followed by one of the albums slow ballads, “Mother Make Me Golden,” and then by the heartfelt love song, “I Just Do,” which is sure to melt the hearts of listeners everywhere. Even my girlfriend claimed it as “One of the sweetest songs of all time.”

Finally, the album closes with “Midwestern Dirt,” an emotional expression of Metzger’s desperation and hopelessness. It’s a metaphorical play on his roots and lost love.

Small Steps, Heavy Hooves is truly one of the most interesting albums from one of the most interesting bands I’ve heard. I assure you, the music is not like anything you have ever heard. Dear and the Headlights is a unique blend of talent and creativity that is sure to please any listening ear. Check out the album at www.myspace.com/dearandtheheadlights.

---Cameron Whitlock