Customer Reviews

Headphones

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many of us are familiar with Pedro the Lion. I have been a fan of their's for a couple of years now and so when Headphones was released, I bought it just because of my allegiance to David Bazan's (the mind behind both outfits) music.

This album has drawn much negative response from major reviewers because of its so-called depressing mood. While I see this argument, I don't get caught up in moods. When the songwriting is as clever and solid as it is, the lyrics, vocals, and instrumentation all solid as well, I cannot bash it.

One of the most initially striking features of this record is the quite unique sound. All sounds were created with synthesizers and real drums. There isn't much else out there like it. Some have tried to compare it to the highly acclaimed project by Dntel and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, "The Postal Service" because of its electronic sound (and, I assume, the mixture of a successful indie-rock singer/songwriter with this electronic music). This is a loose comparison at best. Take Headphones for what it is, a stab at creativity. With so much new music arriving these days with nothing new or different, Headphones should be embraced.

...i've been a Pedro The Lion fan for years, now...everything that David does is just amazing...his lyrics are fresh and far from anything that any indie band is putting out these days...i pre-ordered this album the day it came up for pre-order...i was at a Pedro show, and he said that he got the idea for the album after listening to The Flaming Lips......David's lyrics are just so straight forward...nothing's held back...that's what i love about it...and this album goes by the same rules...it's pretty much Pedro with syths...buy this album NOW

I too saw these guys live, at Doug Fir in Portland OR (there was a long wait for our table so we thought "what the heck, let's check out the band") and was very, very impressed. The stripped down arrangements belie the very solid crafstamanship in the songs. Standout track for me is track 2.

Nice to hear that people are actually writing songs again.

I'm a fan of Pedro the Lion and this new release took a little while to settle with me, but now that it has... i like it a lot. it's nice to see David move in a different direction musically, although his songwriting style and deft, story-like lyrics are still very much intact. i've always enjoyed his melodies the most. they just stick in your brain like the poppiest hooks you can imagine. he reminds me of elvis costello in a weird way. if you're into great melodies and intelligent lyrics that tell stories about life both good and bad take a listen. it's similar to Pedro the Lion however Headphones takes a much simpler route pairing traditional songs and writing with real drums, keyboards and electronic instruments in place of guitars. David Bazan always challenges us to listen and think. one of the great musical minds of the last 10 years, no wonder he's influenced everyone from Helio Sequence to The Way It Is.

just saw headphones live and bought the disc. fun show. mainly, i wanted to write this to say that currently amazon has track #10 listed as 'slow car wash' which made me giggle. the song is 'slow car crash.'

maybe bazan should write a song called 'slow car wash.'

i bet it would be as good as these tracks, which you will like if you like bazan and pedro the lion. buy it and enjoy. if you don't like your copy, send it to me and i'll give it to my sister.

Great synth sounds, fresh grooves, probably one of my favorite records Mr. Bazan has been a part of. Gripping lyrics, tough topics, sweet melodies.

This album is the love child of Pedro the Lion and Postal Service. It would be if David Bazan and Beck merged into one musician and made an record...a great record.