Have you ever been introduced to an album unexpectedly? Everyone but me seems to have had one of those magical experiences where a great record just drops into their lap; perhaps it was introduced to them by a well-meaning record store clerk, or they went on a vacation and found the CD magically left in their rental car. I've always just wanted a moment where I felt like a record was meant for me and only for me. And while I can't claim I magically discovered A Thousand Times Yes' Heart Beats, it is an album that anyone would be lucky to find in a bout of serendipity.
Heart Beats is a recording of the sparkling swirl of being young and living in an old city. Emotions are explored and polished by the extraordinarily efficient A Thousand Times Yes into a glowing intensity that rivals the Ambassador Bridge at night. But don't let the glitter of this band fool you either: these kids can still rock. Audra "Sparx" Marks' bass swings and whips the band into a fury on tracks such as the way-too-much-fun-for-its-topic "Sibling Rivalry, Sibling Love," and even when that driving bass isn't present, drummer Greg "Lull Tucker" Evangelista keeps it coming while still being one of those rare drummers who knows how to utilize every piece of his kit. And don't forget lead guitarist, Joe "Casper Von Hoffman" Hoffman, whose guitar brings it all together. There's something unspeakably strange about how in tune this band is with one another; the tones of the instruments and voices fit so well together that it becomes odd to think that this isn't some strange group of Siamese triplets connected at the end. And if you didn't want to read all that semi-poetic music writing, then here you go in six words: shit son, this band is tight.
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