Hearts Like Lions

Cory Casciato July 30, 2009 4:00AM

[
          {
            "name": "Related Stories / Support Us Combo",
            "component": "12017627",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "6"
          },
          {
            "name": "Air - Billboard - Inline Content",
            "component": "12017623",
            "insertPoint": "2/3",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7"
          },
          
          {
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "12017624",
            "insertPoint": "12",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          },{
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "12017624",
            "insertPoint": "4th",
            "startingPoint": "16",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          }
          
            ,{
              "name": "RevContent - In Article",
              "component": "13027957",
              "insertPoint": "3/5",
              "requiredCountToDisplay": "5"
            }
          
        ]

The five-song debut EP from Hearts Like Lions kicks off with "Through the Cracks," an irresistible, luminescent monster of a track. Balancing edgy, epic guitar lines with simple synths and an unforgettable vocal, the tune references a large swath of the '80s new wave without pointing too closely in any one direction. It's kind of like a tougher, less calculated take on the Killers sound, an incredible song that singlehandedly justifies the band's existence. None of the rest of the material is up to the same standard, but there is some promise among the other four tracks, especially the nice interplay between the synths and guitars in "The Same Mistake" and the almost-there, piano-driven "Figure Eight." If they can come up with some more material that matches "Through the Cracks," watch out.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.

Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1.