Headphones (20th Anniversary Edition) ［LP+7inch］＜限定盤/Opaque Yellow Vinyl＞

エモやスロウコアの美麗な部分を抽出しあまりに朗らかな音像を作り上げたUSインディ支柱PEDRO THE LION。そのリーダーであり神出鬼没な職人DAVID BAZANが2005年に立ち上げたHEADPHONESの唯一作が発売20周年記念盤に!

DAVIDのキャリア内で「不思議」、「ドリーミー」、「シンプル」といったキーワードが似合う本作。シンセサイザーを多用し同時期のPOSTAL SERVICEと比較される程の電子音を披露した結果、USインディ界に新しい方向性を示しました。しかしHEADPHONESのシンセサイザーはロックンロール的野生感を持ったストレートなサウンド。DAVIDのナイーヴな側面も落とし込まれ、誕生から20年経っても色褪せない裏インディ重要作です!

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 Bazan finally moans in during the final minute. So no, there's not an indie hit to be found on Headphones, although the maraca shake of "Natural Disaster" 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