The Head and the Heart - Cats and Dogs

A friend of mine suggested this album to me and I'm on the first track ready to write about it! And also, that's some bizarre album art right there. The thing that drew me to this track was it's groove and percussive layering. We begin with some double-tracked stick clicking and a shaker accompanied by the drone of a single guitar chord. Above this is the vocal which sets us up for the next section where the groove comes in.

I'll start with the vocals; I quite like use of harmonies. They enter in on the second half of each phrase which creates an excellent call/response dynamic. It's used to add emphasis to some words as well as just for variation and build. In addition is the 'oooh' of backing vocals that intertwine a leading melody into what is largely a rhythmically driven track I feel. However, I might say that it acts as the melody lead when the piano is absent.

Looking at the length of each track on the album, at 1.56 this is the shortest. It acts as a good introduction track. It contains quite a mix sounds and combinations that are quick changing (almost like a trailer for the album). At one point there's even a time signature change from the 4/4 in to a 6/8 (ballad feel). This seems like a pretty bold move but it's the feel of the backing vocals and piano that make the juxtaposition somehow quite comfortable. Again, it's another way that this track 'comments' on what's to come.