Being in a band with your sibling can be great. Just look at the Beach Boys, Kings of Leon, Oasis and Jedward (OK, maybe not). Well you can now add the three sisters of Haim to the list of bands who show that there is no better connection, than that of brotherly and sisterly love.
When it comes to making music, having your family around you can make a big difference, and the LA group are a better example of this than anyone. Danielle, Este and Alana learnt their musical trade from a very young age, and were taught to play instruments by their mother and father before they were barely even big enough to hold them. Throughout their youth they performed as Rockenhaim with their two parents playing Eagles covers, before ditching them in 2007 to become Haim. After impressive performances at SXSW in 2012 the band released their first EP, Forever, and caught the music world’s attention instantly. 18 months and three subsequent singles later, their debut album Days Are Gone is finally here, and is certainly one of the most eagerly anticipated debut LPs in many years. And it does not disappoint.
It kicks off with single Falling, with its grooving bass lines, 70s rock guitar licks and tribal drum beats creating a sound reminiscent of Tango in the Night era Fleetwood Mac. The track is quickly followed by two more of Haim’s popular singles, which is a risky move if the rest of the album is not up to scratch. Luckily this isn’t the case, and the sequence of Falling, Forever and The Wire is a brilliant opening to the record, starting as it means to go on. Through their extensive touring, the Haim sisters have gained a reputation as a hard rocking guitar band. However, the album may catch a few fans by surprise. Forever is now slightly faster than on the original EP, and live favourite The Wire is laced with glistening 80s synths, giving both tracks a more glossy studio feel than you would expect.
One of the clear influences on the album is 90s RnB, with songs such as title track Days Are Gone and My Song 5 illustrating this, with their use of drum machines and RnB rhythms. My Song 5 channels the spirit of shaved head era Britney Spears and combines it with grimy guitar riffs and pulsating rhythms to make it one of the standout tracks on the album.
Several influences from different eras and genres of music are clear, but if there is one thing that Haim do best it’s 80s pop, with a modern twist and attitude. If I Could Change Your Mind is a power pop classic, boasting brilliant melodies and showing that the three sisters really know how to write an extremely catchy chorus. Other highlights include slow burning ballad Go Slow, and album closer Running If You Call My Name, which combines Phil Collins drums with Kate Bush backing vocals and a haunting keyboard line, creeping underneath a great melody, making the track a powerful way to end the record.
The wait may well have been worth it, but the difference between the sounds of live Haim and studio Haim may catch a few people off guard, and is something that they may need to change as they grow and fine tune their sound in the future. But for now this is in no part a bad thing. The Haim sisters may have come to be known as one of the best live rock bands around, but they have released one of the best pop albums by a new band in many a year.
Watch the video for The Wire: