The Head and the Heart - Sounds Like Hallelujah

Sometime last winter one of my oldest and loveliest friends, Katelyn Mashburn, invited me to see a band whose name I cannot remember at Neumo's. She had seem them while living in London the year prior and tickets were maybe $10, so we figured we'd have a couple of beers in the balcony and catch up between sets. The second band of four that night wasn't immediately memorable, honestly. A six-piece without gimmick or schtick, the Head and the Heart came onstage and just started playing (if you can count, you've probably realized that not all members are present in the video above, so I'd encourage you to explore other fine performances and tunes). I think for a few minutes me and Kate kept chatting, but as soon as "Sounds Like Hallelujah" picked up and already-dedicated THATH fans began singing along, "I'm not walking away / I'm just hearing what you're saying for the fiiiiiiiiiiiiirst time," we both set down our beers and made room for dancing. We danced about for the rest of their set, and I downloaded their self-titled debut as soon as I got home. Legally, by the way - which is how you know I was really in love.

In the proceeding months there was no purpose in trying to listen to anything but the Head and the Heart. For neurotics such as myself, there is always some sort of life crisis to sort through (manufactured or otherwise), and for that distinct period this band and this song in particular were the only therapist I could afford. I've revisited the entire record today in the hopes of explaining how each track aided my deep contemplation about career paths, temporarily soothed my wanderlust, and gave some dignity to my melodramatic inner monologue about being 22 and having no idea who I was or what the hell I was doing with my life. For the record I've yet to understand either of those things, but I'm decidedly calmer about it now and I think that's due largely to The Head and the Heart allowing me to dance [and on occasion cry] it out. Thanks, dudes.

Equally of note, during this period I would send YouTube video after YouTube video of THATH to my dear friend Patrick, who would always respond with some variation of "zzzZZZzzz." There are ostensibly three reasons for this reaction:

1. You can lead a horse to water, but Pat is an asshole.
2. Irritating the fuck out of me is reason enough for Pat to do anything.
3. All of the above.

(Love you, peej)

The Head and the Heart signed with Sup Pop this Spring and subsequently released a remastered version of their album in April. Miraculously, Pat also came to his senses and spends most days thanking me for introducing him to this glorious band. Now, we can only hope to enjoy them together at Coachella.