album reviews
The Helio Sequence
Keep Your Eyes Ahead
2008 » Sub Pop
I’m normally the REAX Music Magazine Scandanavian Death Metal reviewer, so when this CD was presented to me it was a HUGE surprise. I’ve been a big fan of The Helio Sequence ever since hearing Love and Distance a few years ago. This is quite a treat for me.
Rarely in life do musical masterpieces make their way into our ears. Now, I’m not the best at hearing all of the correct lyrics. Oftentimes what I think is correct actually makes more sense for me, so I assume that’s the correct lyric. This is one of those albums where you can meld it in your mind to make it your own.
If you enjoy THS’s music, then you MUST go see a live show if you get the chance. It will elevate your respect for them to another level. They have been described as what John Lennon might sound like if he were singing while piloting a UFO, and you know what that means! Candy Apples for EVERYONE! The whole array of their sound is created by only two very gifted individuals: Singer/guitarist/harmonicist Brandon Summers and drummer/keyboardist Benjamin Weikel.
Weikel was responsible for the toe-tapping percussions on Modest Mouse’s Grammy-nominated Good News For People Who Love Bad News. After listening to Keep Your Eyes Ahead (and seeing the band open for Minus the Bear in Orlando) I realized that Benjamin is in a drumming class of his own. He is so explosively focused while performing that you start to feel his cymbal crashes like you would a bass drum. Such controlled intensity…like he’s sitting on a pile of exploding firecrackers and loving it the entire time.
I had the opportunity to meet Brandon after their set in Orlando at Club Firestone. He was extremely friendly and open. He gladly signed my Volcom ball cap brim while showing true graciousness to me as a fan. I treasure the hat now more than most. To me, seeing The Helio Sequence play live is witnessing pioneering rock and roll history.
Since this album is so complete in its majesty, I have included a track-by-track synopsis:
1. “Lately” - This song seems like the saddest on the album. Very well written, it helped me get through some tough times. It’s best to get the prideful anthem out of the way first and let the happiness commence afterwards. This song sounds like an old Bruce Springsteen song that got lost in the cracks.
2. “Can’t Say No” – Sung like a slowed-down “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel. Just one example of Brandon’s ability to harmonize his lyrics with speed.
3. “The Captive Mind” – This quickly-sung song reminds me of advice to an addict. Brandon’s lyrics rhyme and flow on the way to his ethereal guitar solo.
4. When this song began, I heard a sample that I my ears had not heard in some time. After a bit of thought, I realized that it came from the Nintendo NES hit dirt bike video game Excitebike. Ahh, memories… This song tells of undying love in a world of hurt. As the title orates, “You Can Come To Me.”
5. “Shed Your Love” – Sounds like if Willie Nelson and Leonard Cohen had sex and when the baby came out, it looked just like Bob Dylan.
6. “Keep Your Eyes Ahead” – (Also the title of the album.) This is the song that I swore I wrote in my head while working on a dredging tugboat hauling sand many years ago. I find myself humming it in department stores. I don’t know how many times I have listened to this track. It’s a memory flashback inducer with hope flowing throughout. Like David Cross in Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job's PIZZA BOY DVD!
7. “Back To This” – This song reminds me of the holidays. Not like you would think, though. Sometimes family members squabble. People are forced to take sides but no matter what…every year…”It always…comes back to this.”
8. This song sounds like Brandon acknowledging the mysteries of our deities.
9. “Broken Afternoon” would be the first single taken from the Bob Dylan baby. Brandon, if you’re reading this, I have a weird way of issuing compliments. This album was on repeat for much more than a minute, my friend.
10. Brandon shows off his harmonica chops. It sounds like a dream I once had. Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr. were sitting around a campfire in the backyard of Tom Petty...if this concert collaboration ever existed, count me in! I'd be the first one in line looking for tickets for the 2008 CD tour!
This album easily achieves 5 star status. I’d give it six if I could. – D-Axe
Rarely in life do musical masterpieces make their way into our ears. Now, I’m not the best at hearing all of the correct lyrics. Oftentimes what I think is correct actually makes more sense for me, so I assume that’s the correct lyric. This is one of those albums where you can meld it in your mind to make it your own.
If you enjoy THS’s music, then you MUST go see a live show if you get the chance. It will elevate your respect for them to another level. They have been described as what John Lennon might sound like if he were singing while piloting a UFO, and you know what that means! Candy Apples for EVERYONE! The whole array of their sound is created by only two very gifted individuals: Singer/guitarist/harmonicist Brandon Summers and drummer/keyboardist Benjamin Weikel.
Weikel was responsible for the toe-tapping percussions on Modest Mouse’s Grammy-nominated Good News For People Who Love Bad News. After listening to Keep Your Eyes Ahead (and seeing the band open for Minus the Bear in Orlando) I realized that Benjamin is in a drumming class of his own. He is so explosively focused while performing that you start to feel his cymbal crashes like you would a bass drum. Such controlled intensity…like he’s sitting on a pile of exploding firecrackers and loving it the entire time.
I had the opportunity to meet Brandon after their set in Orlando at Club Firestone. He was extremely friendly and open. He gladly signed my Volcom ball cap brim while showing true graciousness to me as a fan. I treasure the hat now more than most. To me, seeing The Helio Sequence play live is witnessing pioneering rock and roll history.
Since this album is so complete in its majesty, I have included a track-by-track synopsis:
1. “Lately” - This song seems like the saddest on the album. Very well written, it helped me get through some tough times. It’s best to get the prideful anthem out of the way first and let the happiness commence afterwards. This song sounds like an old Bruce Springsteen song that got lost in the cracks.
2. “Can’t Say No” – Sung like a slowed-down “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel. Just one example of Brandon’s ability to harmonize his lyrics with speed.
3. “The Captive Mind” – This quickly-sung song reminds me of advice to an addict. Brandon’s lyrics rhyme and flow on the way to his ethereal guitar solo.
4. When this song began, I heard a sample that I my ears had not heard in some time. After a bit of thought, I realized that it came from the Nintendo NES hit dirt bike video game Excitebike. Ahh, memories… This song tells of undying love in a world of hurt. As the title orates, “You Can Come To Me.”
5. “Shed Your Love” – Sounds like if Willie Nelson and Leonard Cohen had sex and when the baby came out, it looked just like Bob Dylan.
6. “Keep Your Eyes Ahead” – (Also the title of the album.) This is the song that I swore I wrote in my head while working on a dredging tugboat hauling sand many years ago. I find myself humming it in department stores. I don’t know how many times I have listened to this track. It’s a memory flashback inducer with hope flowing throughout. Like David Cross in Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job's PIZZA BOY DVD!
7. “Back To This” – This song reminds me of the holidays. Not like you would think, though. Sometimes family members squabble. People are forced to take sides but no matter what…every year…”It always…comes back to this.”
8. This song sounds like Brandon acknowledging the mysteries of our deities.
9. “Broken Afternoon” would be the first single taken from the Bob Dylan baby. Brandon, if you’re reading this, I have a weird way of issuing compliments. This album was on repeat for much more than a minute, my friend.
10. Brandon shows off his harmonica chops. It sounds like a dream I once had. Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr. were sitting around a campfire in the backyard of Tom Petty...if this concert collaboration ever existed, count me in! I'd be the first one in line looking for tickets for the 2008 CD tour!
This album easily achieves 5 star status. I’d give it six if I could. – D-Axe
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