Dancing Heals, absolutely. I am firm believer it is the best exercise and enjoy showing off my moves every once in a while. And whilst you may not be able to shake your limbs around energetically with Melburnian band Dancing Heals’, latest album, “You Will Never Be Younger Than You Are Now” (quite a statement, huh?), there is still a nice swaying that can accompany the soothing and mellow sounding tracks.
Fresh from their acclaimed performances in CMJ, New York, and still glowing from the reviews their debut album “Into the Night” got in 2012, Dancing Heals kicked off 2013 with a bang after receiving news that Arts Victoria would help their second album, which they have now completed. On a roll, and seizing their momentum, the band is currently planning an east coast tour in July 2013 to promote “You Will Never Be Younger Than You are Now” taken from the lyrics to the album track, “I Don’t Feel It”. But, as a matter of fact, I do feel it.
Produced by the band, under Del Grango Records, Heal’s own label, the 11-tracked record explains why attention is increasing on this indie rock band, formed by Jon-Lee Farrell (vox, guitar, keyboard), Daniel Trakell (vox, guitar, keyboard), James Lovie (Vos, bass) and Jarrad Long (drums). The soft singing, at times whispery and timid gives way to an ethereal, mind numbing and almost hypnotic (more refined) sound that runs along the whole album.
Do not get me wrong though, it does not set you on a sleepy mood; the tone is upbeat and friendly, just surrounded by reassuring calmness. The oooohhhhsss and aaaahhhsss still persist from their previous work, followed by distorted guitars and taciturn, whimsical melodies. The melancholic undertone combined with mesmerizing guitar solos is a constant throughout the 11 tracks. But all of this starry eyed, drawn back style effect vanishes with Point of View; more of an intense, power punch song, where drums sound upfront and the strings just rage.
Your attention can also be drawn with If You Need Me, song number 10 on the list. The Oasis feel to it is undeniable. Funny, for co-songwriters and good friends Farrell and Trakell have previously been compared to creative duo formed by the Gallagher brothers.
It must have been quite an exhausting journey for Dancing Heals, for they have been all over the place non-stop for three years now. Their sophomore album was recorded in two sessions, half at Echo Mountain Studios, in North Carolina, USA, and the remainder at Melbourne’s Sing Sing Studios. The result is great, and do not let their unaffected and apathetic attitude fool you, this band’s melodies and storytelling reflect heaps of hard work, and certainly establish They will never be better than they are now.
