erasing clouds
 

Headlights, Some Racing, Some Stopping

by hiram lucke

Headlights make the kind of indie pop that is instantly recognizable. The band keep the arrangements interesting enough, however, to keep the listener coming back. The la las and oh ohs are expertly placed, the organs add lushness, and the guitars are clean and vibrant. Add some well placed handclaps and strings and you've got some wonderfully listenable and cuddly pop songs. I've been thinking of Some Racing, Some Stopping as kind of like a great thrift store sweater that has a strangely placed down lining so warm and comfortable it's hard to take it off in the summer no matter how much you sweat.

Songcraft is key to the approach on Some Racing, Some Stopping, taking cues from Brill building stars like Goffman and King and a few from the Sarah Records stable as well. The traded female/male vocals work well. In the airy "Cherry Tulips," the album's first single, Erin Fein discusses the need for light in order to sleep and dreaming of cherry tulips lining the street. Unfortunately, what she dreams of can't keep her from worrying in the real world, adding some tension to the somnambulant song. Sometimes the song's meaning is less relevant than the feeling captured, as in "On April 2," which starts with the story of people leaving despite the bad weather coming in, but moves to a discussion of a drive in the fading winter air.

Some Racing, Some Stopping is as whispy as cotton candy, but, thankfully, won't rot your teeth. With all the elements in place and constant touring, Headlights songs should be a part of your everyday sugar rush as well.

{www.polyvinylrecords.com}


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