THE LUMINEERS – HO HEY/SLOW IT DOWN
I’m usually not one to look past cliche, and the lyrics to this Colorado band’s Ho Hey is smothered in cliche. Take the tired and impersonal introductory lines – “I’ve been trying to do it right, I’ve been living a lonely life”, or not a couple lines after the write-by-numbers line – “I don’t know where I went wrong, but I can write a song”. But there is something so irresistible about the simple and sweet sentiment – “I belong with you, you belong with me, in my sweet home”. It’s comparable to the happy drunk who makes jokes that aren’t funny, but his gut-busting laughter is so infectious that you can’t help but join along. This jolly tune will have you clapping and smiling in no time. However, further exploration of their debut album does show signs of deeper waters. Slow it Down has a greater feeling of genuineness, a more honest expression of the old Americana sound they are seeking. I’m not sure I know what the lyrics are about, but it damn sure feels like it comes from more personal story-telling than Ho Hey. It is reminiscent of Kings Of Leon’s more poetic moments (yes, they had some). All in all, Lumineers show a great deal of potential, and I am looking forward to their sophomore effort.
