In the mainstream wake of
the Postal Service
's success, plenty of
indie rockers
are setting down their guitars and picking up synthesizers (ironic since so many
electronic
artists have slung axes as of late).
Headphones
might seem like
Postal Service
redux, featuring
Pedro the Lion
guitarist
David Bazan
and drummer
Tim Walsh
. But where both acts employ the formula of
emo
-tinged vocals and basic bleeping melodies, the similarities end when
Bazan
sings about the darker reaches of his psyche. Song titles like
"Shit Talker,"
"I Never Wanted You,"
and
"Natural Disaster"
speak volumes of this album's intent.
"Hello Operator"
employs a sonar signal as its main hook, while
"Major Cities"
is a solo keyboard number that stays on the black ivories until
finally moans in during the final minute. So no, there's not an
indie
hit to be found on
, although the maraca shake of
does liven things up despite the chorus "You would wait on the rapture, natural disaster/To come around." Not exactly the tone the kids of
The O.C.
are waiting to hear. So forget the easy
Gibbard
/
Tamborello
comparisons and look here if you seek more mope with your Moog. ~ Joshua Glazer