The Head and the Heart
by The Head and the Heart
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Apr 16, 2011
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. AllMusic
    May 25, 2011
    80
    There are plenty of bands who literally spend a decade working up to an album as well-crafted, confident, and powerful as The Head and the Heart, and these folks managed to knock it out in a bit over a year; is they can make this particular bit of lightning strike twice, we may be looking at one of America's best new bands.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    Sep 13, 2011
    40
    There's potential in the chemistry, but no daring.
  3. Beats Per Minute
    May 25, 2011
    82
    If they stick to the melodic folk at the core of their best songs, that fateful open-mic night could be the beginning of something really great.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    May 25, 2011
    50
    More problematic are the melodies and the songs themselves; they strive for rousing resonance, a deep sense of loss, but often settle for pat prettiness and easy sentimentality.
  6. Consequence
    May 25, 2011
    40
    Even as singers Jon Russell and Josiah Johnson's voices flow together swimmingly over Charity Thielen's violin, the album never truly succeeds at living up to its name.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    Jul 1, 2011
    80
    If well-crafted folk-pop leaves you feeling lukewarm, by all means join the naysayers; otherwise, I'll be on the side of those dancing and singing along.
  8. Filter
    May 25, 2011
    78
    The Head and the Heart deliver plenty of both [Americana and chamber pop] when it comes to sing-along meditations and winding Appalachian roads.
  9. musicOMH.com
    May 25, 2011
    70
    For all the humming and picking, the songs feel too similar to each other to hold interest throughout.
  10. Pitchfork
    May 25, 2011
    38
    Conceptually, they're close to Mumford & Sons: opportunistic in their borrowings, yet entirely unimaginative in the execution. Theirs is a thoroughly timid, tentative take on Americana: roots music without the roots.
  11. PopMatters
    May 25, 2011
    40
    The songs are surely poppy, but their catchiness rests more on the sweetness of the vocals, and the pleasant mix of guitar and piano over measured drums. The hooks rarely stick out in the mix, so that little distinguishes their sound from other bands treading similar musical ground.
  12. Q Magazine
    May 25, 2011
    80
    Hardly groundbreaking, but heartfelt all the same. [May 2011, p.116]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Spin
    May 25, 2011
    70
    The debut by this Seattle indie-folk group suffers slightly from an abundance of niceness.
  14. The A.V. Club
    May 25, 2011
    42
    Though the songwriting is sturdy, the choruses hearty, the melodies time-tested, and the recording vibrant, The Head And The Heart falters most on account of Jonathan Russell and Josiah Johnson's pre-packaged, Cracker Barrel lyrical conceits.
  15. The Guardian
    Aug 5, 2011
    60
    Moments of delicate introspection such as Winter Song and Josh McBride (from their Chapel Sessions) aside, their straining for both authenticity and jollity can bring to mind people knocking on your door wielding pamphlets.
  16. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 2, 2011
    80
    The UK edition of their debut has three extra tracks recorded in a church, which damps things even further. But there is still much to enjoy here.
  17. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 2, 2011
    40
    They may have plenty of heart but their heads are lost in the clouds.
  18. Uncut
    May 25, 2011
    80
    It's a long time since a debut album forged its influences into something quite as fresh and rich as this. [May 2011, p.87]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. Under The Radar
    May 27, 2011
    70
    Their glowing harmonies, sense of movement, and emotional build capture the heart in ways other bands can only dream about. [May 2011, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. davidson
    Dec 10, 2013
    0
    Repetitive and derivative., but at least it's repetitive.

    Over sentimental, overly borrowed, overly styled, overly lacking in content. I'm    Repetitive and derivative., but at least it's repetitive.

    Over sentimental, overly borrowed, overly styled, overly lacking in content. I'm sure there's someone trying on a tight fitting grey pleather jacket and seeing which pouty face goes with it and I'm sure this person likes the band and would make an impassioned argument against my claims. If it wasn't for the uninspired live performance I may have kept said opinion to myself. But sister, this is a cruel world and some people are gonna knock the stuff you like. And sister, sometimes they're right.    … Full Review »
  2. BeauFuller
    Sep 9, 2016
    10
    Sorry user davidson, but this album isn't either of the two negative things you mentioned.

    It's both original and is quite far from being    Sorry user davidson, but this album isn't either of the two negative things you mentioned.

    It's both original and is quite far from being repetitive.

    Give this album a listen from an amazing band that might have had it's best work on it's first wide release album, which is getting more typical these days.

    I have some great memories attached to this album and with good reason, it's can hit you in the feels very often and can catch you singing along without even knowing it.    … Full Review »
  3. doughh
    Jul 20, 2021
    9
    This album is amazing. Many of the limitations such as their seemingly repetitive instrumentals may be seen as a downside, but in reality workThis album is amazing. Many of the limitations such as their seemingly repetitive instrumentals may be seen as a downside, but in reality work in the album's favor, being used as way of connecting each song together. By only using guitars and pianos with liminal editing, this album feels like listening to a live indie band at a small music hall, which I love. The lyrics weigh neither too boringly simple or too obnoxiously complex, which is a sentiment i wish other folk albums could carry. Overall, this album is very much worth listening to.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »