BAND: Head Automatica

Head Automatica is a relatively new (new to us) band that hit MTV with “Graduation Day” in the summer. The single wasn’t as revolutionary as the title would imply, and the album, “Popaganda,” that it stems from isn’t epic, which probably has something to do with its juvenile rhythm that can be positively perceived as playful (apologize for the alliteration). Half of it reminds me of Fountains of Wayne in their “Stacy’s Mom” moment. The rest is sort of 50s or 80s inspired. Lead singer Daryl Palumbo certainly has a tone of voice unlike many other lead singers, which helps to differentiate his band amongst the Fall Outs and Panics of today. Favorites from the album are: “Laughing at you,” which has a catchy hook; “Lying through your teeth,” a tongue-in-cheek, stuttered declaration of a chick’s infidelity with lines like:

“Girl you look so cheap/we’ve been passing you around/there’s cheating on your lips/and you’ve been the talk of my town/fix your mask/it’s crooked on the sides”

in a very 50s soda pop lyrical sound; and “Beating hearts baby,” about a guy asking if his relationship's love is for real. It has a subdued organ background for a chorus with 50s-inspired male singers and poignant screams of the word “you” that makes you feel like a rock star when you sing along. Just listen. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you hear it. So if you want a relatively new sound, check out this relatively new band. www.headautomatica.com/ If you like what you hear, they're performing at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City Oct. 27th.