2007, Equal Vision Records
Dear and the Headlights had some apparent trouble marketing Small Steps, Heavy Hooves, or, at least, such is what the Equal Vision Records press release makes claim of. If the story is indeed the case, it's hard to tell why from the opening notes — "Oh No!" places a distinct focus on the melodic vocals that seem at the core of the album, and it's not like they're somehow absolutely wretched.
No, vocals are one of the strong points in this set of recordings: they're never too whiney, nor are they too heated, rushed, and biting. It's difficult to walk the delicate line of enjoyable vocals within the 'emo-indie-rock' style; Dear and the Headlights manages to toe said line with some skill. Vocals, though, are not the only place, thankfully, where Dear and the Headlights succeed.
This isn't to say there's anything wrong with, say, barbershop; on the contrary, I doubt there are enough popular barbershop albums released. However, I doubt the vocals on this album would be able to carry themselves; the rest of the band does this quite well. Dear and the Headlights isn't the type of band to have fifteen minute solos, but the guitar work is far from mediocre. "I'm Bored, You're Amorous" spells this out well with a shimmering lead guitar behind the vocals carrying the song.
Dear and the Headlights have produced a quality album with Small Steps, Heavy Hooves. It's not just the opening notes that make it hard to believe they'd be simply ignored. This band has a distinct, marketable audience music promoters drool over, not to mention an array of songwriting talent and musical know-how. This album's not for everyone; rather, it's for those looking for something not too complex or challenging that's listened to without trouble. Dear and the Headlights succeeds on that point, and given this is their release, it'll be interesting to see where the band takes it from here.