On their new album, Let’s Be Still, The Head And The Heart have expanded their boundaries just a bit—enough to make the new release a full step forward. Let’s Be Still widens their style enough to label their sound pleasantly upbeat, even at its mellow, smell-the-roses pace.
As is the case with most acoustic-heavy, banjo and fiddle inclusive indie bands, The Head And The Heart are much more impressive live than they are on record. It’s difficult to create atmosphere without being in the moment with the performers, and in this respect, The Head And The Heart, along with a plethora of other bands of their ilk, fall flat.
The banjo/string incorporation alongside the female harmony is the definite highlight of this album. On tracks such as “Josh McBride,” the audience would have quite a difficult time maintaining interest if these key elements were absent. This typically country instrumentation adds a touch of something different to what would be just another indie album without them. And yet, I still can’t shake the feeling that something is missing.
I don’t know if it’s just a matter of personal preference or if there’s actually something wrong with all of these indie bands, but it’s all very bland and unoriginal. There’s no life or excitement in these tracks. On the title track, Let’s Be Still, it’s as if the band is purposely wasting time—both theirs and the listeners’. It’s just so, so flat.
So if you’re looking for something basic to listen to that won’t necessarily be so inoffensive that it becomes offensive, pick this up. Otherwise, it’s just another mediocre indie release.
Grade: C
