BORDERLANDS: THE WALKMEN’S “SONG FOR LEIGH”

A deep cut from The Walkmen’s recent release Heaven calls for effortlessly enjoyable repeat listening.

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since indie-rock staple boys The Walkmen released their debut album Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone. Their straightforward vintage sound and powerful vocals have won and retained massive critical acclaim over the years, and the release of their seventh full-length album Heaven is no exception.

While managing to keep their sound relatively unchanged, The Walkmen themselves have certainly transformed over the years. These rockers have grown up, married, and had children, with their new music reflecting that maturity.

On Heaven, their sound is tight, focused, and unabashedly clean.

Lead singer Hamilton Leithauser’s lullaby to his one-year-old daughter “Song for Leigh” is a perfect example of an album deep cut that fully exemplifies the broader themes these experienced rockers are trying to convey on this LP.

“My gun still shoots and my bird still sings,” Leithauser wails over beautiful production and twangy guitars. The line hangs woefully heavy in the mix, his voice clear and full. This is a portrait of an aging man exhibiting his remaining talents, almost pleading to the ones he loves.

The Walkmen may seem like old dogs, but boy, do they have some exciting new tricks.

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