Jeff’s Songbook – “Beating Heart Baby” by Head Automatica

LYRICS

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(Jeff Sistrunk is a journalism student at the University of Arkansas. He’s dedicated this week’s Songbook entries to those summer tunes that catch in your head.)

During my time growing up near Anaheim, California, I used to go to this all-ages punk venue called Chain Reaction at least twice a month. One of the first- and best- shows that I ever saw there was a headlining stint by Head Automatica, a side project of Glassjaw singer Daryl Palumbo.

Whereas Glassjaw employs gritty metal riffs, double-time drums and sing/scream vocals, Head Automatica plays an infectious blend of pop rock and electronica.

The second that I popped their aptly titled debut album, “Decadence,” into the CD dock of my Chevy Colorado, I instantly fell in love. “Decadence” is just that, decadent- an indulgent combination of candy-coated melodies and irresistible dance beats. And “Beating Heart Baby” is the disc’s crown jewel. Palumbo’s memorable vocal hooks mesh perfectly with the track’s stuttering drums and new-wave guitars.

When Head Automatica broke this track out live and the whole crowd joined in a singalong, it was a transcendent experience that still ranks as one of my favorite concert moments to date.

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