Album Review: “No, Of Course!” by The Heard Theorem
***Author’s Note: Some of you may know that I used to play in a band here in Austin, and recently I was asked to write an album review. Therefore this post doesn’t have anything to do with Humanism or any of the other topics I’ve covered–it’s an attempt to both stretch my writing muscles and to give back to the music community that welcomed me and my music in once upon a time. Thanks for reading.
www.reverbnation.com/TheHeardTheorem
Bands like the Heard Theorem are exactly why I love living and listening to music in Austin. With their debut EP “No, Of Course!”, The Heard Theorem, with Eric Heard at the helm, has honed their craft and unified their sound, creating a unique blend of the familiar and the experimental. Think 80’s and 90’s Alternative meets Indie Pop Rock with a hint of singer/songwriter thrown in for good measure. The rhythm will get you moving in no time, and the passion with which Heard sings his honest lyrics will make you listen.
The first song, “Cliffs”, simply has one of the coolest intros I’ve heard in a long time. It quickly escalates into a hard-driving anthem of loss, painting a stark picture of a moment that unfortunately many of us have had to face– moving out of “that apartment”, where it all went down, the final symbolic blow of a relationship beyond repair. I’ve had to leave that apartment and “that girl” myself, and the band definitely captures that swarm of emotions here, especially with Heard’s incredible range of vocal performance woven together with refreshingly inventive guitar work.
Listening to “Failure”, there is pain here, especially in the rather dark intro, with Heard easily communicating this anger at the ironic struggles of modern life. However this is not a song stuck in the mire, but rather it evolves into an upbeat and self-reflective take on perseverance, even in the midst of our own self-created failures. It speaks of finding a balance and trying not to get in your own way (a positive message for any up and coming band striving for acknowledgment). And yes, as the song relates, sometimes you just have to say Fuck It.
“Governor Ego” is an unflinching social criticism of one of politics’ most polarizing figures. Though his name is never actually mentioned, the band’s clever use of soundbites makes it obvious that the central character referred to is the fellow living in the Big White Mansion in the Heard Theorem’s home town of Austin. But more than a criticism of a governor, the song angrily attacks the hypocrisy and ignorance of modern politics itself, which is something both sides of the Aisle should certainly take heed of.
As a native Austinite myself, I love the reference in “Moontower” to the city’s classic Moonlight Towers, first installed in the late 1880s to light the city at night, and featured prominently in the keg party scene in the film “Dazed and Confused”. Again the band combines heartfelt ballad-like vocals with an uptempo beat and driving guitar, this time testifying to the confusing intricacies of human relationships, successfully wrapping up an EP recording that is definitely worth having in your collection for many repeated listenings. And if you like what you hear, be sure and check out one of the Heard Theorem’s awesome and energetic live performances too.
Chris the Humanist 