I’m not as into metal music, especially all the extreme forms that are popular, as I once was. That doesn’t change the fact that the majority of the CDs I receive to review have the volume and testosterone cranked to eleven. That said, I was surprised when I gave Small Steps, Heavy Hooves the debut records from Dear and the Headlights a listen.

The first thing I noticed as the band plowed through the disc's first track “Oh, No!” was, that in addition to obviously being a free thinking “metro-sexual” band, they have a tight chemistry. That is probably because the band's core members have been playing together for years and only recently picked their new, somewhat offsetting, moniker.

Musically Dear and the Headlights reminds me a great deal of early records by The Cure like Boys Don’t Cry or even Head on the Door. Dear and the Headlights have honed a catchy, acoustic based sound that shows hints of Goth influence. Songs like “I’m Bored, You’re Amorous” and “Skinned Knees, Gapped Teeth,” show that while the band frequently shows their sensitive side, they are not without their share of humor.

Hailing form Arizona Dear and the Headlights' fourteen song debut, produced by Bob Hoag, proves they are far from scared when the lights are shining on them.