The Head and the Heart

(Sub Pop)

“Lord, have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways,” Jonathan Russell begs with an unruffled tenor on “Down In the Valley.” That offering from Seattle sixpiece The Head and the Heart, like the rest of its self-titled debut, couldn’t even spell rough and rowdy. Rather, campfire nods assume a buoyant spin in cowboy aesthetics and sincere songwriting. Originally a 2009 self-release, the LP landed redistribution by Sub Pop after the band opened for Vampire Weekend and Dave Matthews. The outfit throws in among pop-vein folk revivalists like Mumford & Sons with soaring vocal harmonies on “Lost In My Mind” and “Rivers and Roads.” “Ghosts” adds virtuosity to relatively simple progressions with a sinister piano boogie from Kenny Hensley. The Head and the Heart demonstrates serious prowess, but they better grow fast in a market saturated with antiquated folk. (Sat., Orange stage, 6:55pm)

**

This article appears in November 2 • 2012.

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