Music Review: Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves

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.

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for Brandon Daviet

Article Author: Brandon Daviet

Music writer and all around good guy from D-town, Colorado!

Visit Brandon Daviet's author pageBrandon Daviet's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own

Article comments

  • 1 - valerieflames

    Apr 16, 2007 at 3:46 am

    DEAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS is ON TOUR with Boys Night Out, Plain White T's, and LOVEDRUG! Head to ticketmaster for tickets!

    Also, check out their new videos here.

    4/17 New York, NY - Irving Plaza - 7:30 PM
    4/18 Boston, MA - Avalon Ballroom - 7:00 PM
    4/19 Providence, RI - The Living Room - 8:00 PM
    4/22 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero - 7:00 PM
    4/24 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre - 7:00 PM
    4/25 Cleveland, OH - House of Blues - 7:00 PM
    4/26 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall - 7:00 PM
    4/27 Cincinnati, OH - Bogart's - 7:00 PM
    4/28 Hiram, OH - Hiram College Coleman Center - 7:00 PM
    4/29 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall - 7:00 PM
    5/01 Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection - 6:30 PM
    5/02 Chicago, IL - Metro - 6:30 PM
    5/03 Chicago, IL - Metro - 6:30 PM
    5/04 Iowa City, IA - The Picador - 6:30 PM
    5/05 Kansas City, MO - Main Street Cafe - 7:30 PM
    5/06 Denver, CO - The Marquis Theatre - 8:00 PM
    5/07 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court - 7:00 PM
    5/09 Seattle, WA - El Corazon - 7:30 PM
    5/10 Portland, OR - Satyricon - 7:15 PM
    5/12 Las Vegas, NV - University Theatre - 7:00 PM
    5/13 Las Vegas, NV - University Theatre - 7:00 PM
    5/14 West Hollywood, CA - Roxy - 8:00 PM
    5/15 Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction - 7:30 PM
    5/17 Tempe, AZ - The Sets - 5:30 PM

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.

blogcritics lists for Jul 09, 2009

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for June

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs