Music Blog: Previews & Reviews: Headlights, The Subterranean Howl and Merrill

October 21, 2009 at 0:10am (updated October 21, 2009 at 11:22pm) by Zaph Mann · Guest Commentator

Headlights' 3rd release, Wildlife, came out on October 6th and is getting well-merited attention. They play Berbati's Pan on November 10th, put that date in your calender now as this isn’t just the pleasant, poppy indie kind of thing it seems on first hearing. You could almost pass over the mix of sweeping synth numbers a la Stereolab, some sparser arrangements a little like, say, The Ruby Suns... nice, but. Next time around though and it’s quickly becoming familiar and likable, and once the writing starts to penetrate it transforms into a seriously good piece of work. The pleasant, breezy sound acts like a sustaining optimism, a front with which to cope with some challenging and haunting lyrics. They tackle divorce, death, denial and all words dark that begin with ‘d’, not quite, but take "Secrets" - behind the garden fence of that catchy tune, Erin Fein’s vocal throws out a stream of challenges, such as:

“tell me about the time when you buried your friend”
“tell me about the time when you saw his face”
“tell me about the time when your Dad was ill - you were going to the hospital twice a week”

... coupled with insistent questions:
“did you get into their heads?”
“did you tell them all your secrets?”
“can you tell me about that?”
“was there meaning in it?”
“would you say it again if you had a second chance?”

Buy the album, it’s worth it, and get familiar with the songs ahead of the gig next month.

More immediately, this week, this Friday! The Subterranean Howl are playing a very worthy benefit at The Ash Street Saloon. That's October 23rd 2009.

Since Acts like Elvis Costello emerged out of the UK punk era with jangling guitars, inflected vocals and dramatic melody shifts there have been many imitators, far too many... Fortunately while The Subterranean Howl sound a bit like Costello only here and there (e.g. on ‘The Brink’). If 80’s style independent music is your thing then you’ll enjoy them - they vary it a lot; next they’re pegging The English Beat, then...

The benefit itself is for a 3 yr old called Madden who’s undergone brain surgery (baseball sized tumor). The family’s medical bills are wiping them clean (healthcare issue anyone?) - the suggested donation is only $5 plus there are 3 other acts > Chris Margolin & The Dregs - think Counting Crows meets The Verve (Pipe?); The Incapacitators who I know little about but they do have a fabulous name... as does Mark Miller of Idaho, who mysteriously doesn’t even have a web presence, perhaps he’s just some bloke passing through town? Anyhow I’ll be at this gig.

Finally if you’re into ‘Radio Rock’ you shouldn’t miss the CD release show of Merrill (the band) at the Ponderosa Lounge, on October 29. Baffled by the appeal I’ve been following Chris Merrill for some time and discussing my dumbfoundedness regards the genre. Merrill is a genuine and talented musician who at least doesn’t do the false posing. He does sound a bit Vedderish and he writes well structured anguished songs true to the genre. Now that his star’s rising (opening for Maroon 5, Counting Crows, and Augustana - having his music used for a Nascar ad) here’s the properly produced album "A Beautiful Disaster" which certainly fit’s the PR “record that isn’t afraid to be sensitive – but also isn’t afraid to rock.” - I just don’t ‘get’ this genre but millions of people love it and maybe you’re one of them.