“Chicago’s Head of Femur will never be known as the Windy City’s best kept secret. Not because the band is going to take the world by storm, but because they rarely stray from their Flaming Lips musicianship and, at times, Modest Mouse vocal influences. That being said, Great Plains isn’t groundbreaking, but something about the record demands attention.”
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Chicago’s Head of Femur will never be known as the Windy City’s best kept secret.

Not because the band is going to take the world by storm, but because they rarely stray from their Flaming Lips musicianship and, at times, Modest Mouse vocal influences.

That being said, Great Plains isn’t groundbreaking, but something about the record demands attention.

Eighteen musicians are listed on the back of the CD for contributing to the album and the attempt to involve so many instruments takes away from the bands clear musical ability.

At times Great Plains is a catchy record that boasts smooth harmonies between vocalists Matt Focht and Mike Elsener atop piano and guitar melodies.

At other times, Head of Femur’s latest release becomes confusing and clustered; as if the band strayed from what seemed like a clear vision for a song and got lost.

The opening three tracks: Whirlaway, Great Plains and Leader and the Falcon blend together with subtle differences that will make any listener wonder where one track ended and the other began.

However, as the CD progresses, the band starts to regain control of their songs. The confusing and often annoying interludes begin to disappear and the listener is left with raw musicianship and infectious song writing.

River Ramble and By the Red Fire, are completely opposite songs style-wise, but show the depth of Head of Femur’s talent. River Ramble begins the transition out of the disconnected song structures and makes the listener wish the CD had started then and not four tracks earlier.

From River Ramble to the final song Isn’t It a Shame, Head of Femur finally utilize all of their instruments in a constructive way. Soaring harmonies are followed by memorable guitar and piano riffs that are borderline memorable, but uniquely beautiful.

If there is one thing to take away from Great Plains, it is the belief that this band has the potential to be moving and inspirational and, more than likely, an amazing live band.

It would be a shame for any listener to give up after the first four songs of Great Plains, but it’s a risk Head of Femur has taken.

3.5 stars.

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