HEADLIGHTS - Wildlife

HEADLIGHTS
Wildlife
Polyvinyl
A record so pleasant and unimposing it backfires and suffers from the "never there" syndrome. But a band that is sensitive for strong songwriting delivers a couple of bangers but it is not enough to sustain Wildlife.

HEADLIGHTS might become your best friend for the winter as this is the type of music I call winter music. Neat, eh? It all boils down to the pleasantries and in-doorsey vibe you get from this gang. Airy over-all sound, breathy vocals... dreamy, sweet, sugary are all adjectives that come to mind. Slide guitar, accordions, bells, organs, piano... You get the idea.

In order to break down what´s on offer I'll try to single out the "waves" found herein. You've got the very pleasant up-beat songs that are easy to dance to "Get Going", "Don't Mind" (yes I like The Anniversary), "Secrets" (although it's slightly more melancholy and passionate. Great song).
Then you've got the slower, effortless numbers such as "You and Eye", "Wisconsin Beaches" with its folky and country'ish strokes and noteworthy production details. But these songs are hard to roll with as they kinda slip through your hands. "Teenage Wonder" falls into this category and suffers a similar fate even though its beginning is promising. Despite the attempt at build-up-to-climax conclusion, it just doesn't climax due to the blanket of pleasant.

As for the musicians, the roomy acoustics of the subtly creative drumming at times brings Why? comparisons to the table; but don't go thinking Headlights is as abrasive. With the drums ends said comparison. The male and female vocals are breathy for almost the entirety of the record which is a huge no-no because it becomes annoying. And that goes for any band out there that does the same. It's like overdosing on cotton candy. It will render you pretty noxious.

Now in regards to pleasant. Lyrics such as: "Backyard covered in roses and friends will tell you they know how you feel" are systematically adamant in their self-aware campaign for cute and pleasant. Self-aware to the point that it's like an image. It doesn't feel like it is coming from an honest place, but rather a calculated one. Not that I´m calling HEADLIGHTS out for phoniness, it's just that this genre of current indie, if you will, is becoming redundant to the point it becomes unpleasant. It is ironic, really.
If people will run with this record, "Slow Down Town" will certainly become the anthem of a cuddly indie generation, red wine and Feist tickets in hand: "Last night I could tell when you were sleepy. You dreamed about easier times when your friends were around and they called you on the weekend and you knew were all the people hung out. They said they'd take you down town and show you around..." or something to that extent. Oh so pleasant.

The problem with Wildlife is although the overall sound is cohesive and carefully orchestrated, its airiness and reserved nature de-claws it entirely. Too few tracks stick with the listener; thus the whole record could breeze by without anyone noticing it. It lacks contrast and breaks in order to grab attention.
It begins with somewhat of an drive but then gradually slows back down towards the end, which in itself is a good way to build the progression of a full length but it gets too easy for its own good at the end, making it hard to stay with it.