the 31 best of 2008 – 5: Uh Huh Her – Common Reaction

Sometimes, all it takes is a MASSIVE lead off single to gain major interest in your album. This is definitely the case with Uh Huh Her’s first full length release, Common Reaction. Late this summer, I heard one of the catchiest, most amazing pop rock songs of the year, Not A Love Song, and because of that track, I instantly pre-ordered Common Reaction(this is not something that I normally do). I couldn’t believe how much I liked the song, and I couldn’t stop myself from playing it on repeat. Well, a few weeks went by, and the album (which was pre-ordered at that point; which was a great idea, because I got it before it was released AND it is autographed) was highlighted on Logo, who allowed you to listen to the whole album before it was released. I definitely enjoyed it with the first listen, but one of the paramount features of this album for me, is that it is definitely a grower; somehow, it gets better each time I listen to it. It is electro-pop-rock brilliance, which features sweet female, electro-distorted beats, beautiful rhythms, and a lyrical journey to the land of heartbreak, relationships, and sex.

This is definitely one of THE most underrated albums of the year for me; this album should be blowing up. Seriously, every song on Common Reactionwould fit perfectly amongst today’s electro-pop musical landscape, and that fact that it isn’t everywhere is just confusing. Perhaps people just haven’t heard it yet? Well then, let me be the one to tell you: This fantastic album is filled with airy, and very, very well produced pop rock tracks that are magnified by the beautiful vocal styling of Leisha Hailey and Camilla Grey. Their voices meld so well together, and really rein in the ethereal nature of their music, complimenting it in a haunting, and beautiful way.

I think that some of my excitement about Uh Huh Her as a band, initially, was because of how much I adore Leisha Hailey (from the L Word); but it is their music that deserves the real spotlight here. This album is not the type of record that one would expect as a debut album; this is a well produced record that a veteran band of many, many years would put out. Perhaps it is their previous musical experience (they’ve both been in several bands) that speaks here, because they are clearly veterans at making amazing music, and together, they have made something truly epic. There aren’t any other electro-pop albums that I heard like this one this year, and while it is definitely current, there are several moments that they embody the perfect and polished 80s girl pop rock band. I loved this album from the start (well, BEFORE the start), and it still makes me dance around and fills my ears with its sweet sounds upon each listen. I just wish that elation, excitement, and heaping praise were more common reactions to this album, because it definitely deserves to be a much bigger album than it currently is.

Sparkle Factor:
Stand Outs: Not A Love Song [audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_718_uhhuhher-notalovesong.mp3]
Dreamer, Wait Another Day, Explode, Dance With Me, Covered, Common Reaction.