Band of sisters makes a splash with pop-rock debut album

Haim is the new Californian buzz band comprised of three sisters.  They all grew up with a music background and first started out with their parents as a family band playing 70s rock covers. Simply named after the girls’ surname, Haim is as stylish as the women are tough.

Haim combines elements of 80s pop, R&B and classic rock to create a one of a kind sound on their debut, “Days Are Gone.” Their bright music definitely has a California vibe to it, and “Days Are Gone” will please both rock and pop music fans.

Before they even made it big, Haim sisters Este (bass) and Danielle (guitar) were busy with their own lives. Este graduated from UCLA with an ethnomusicology degree. While Este was finishing this program in two years instead of five, Danielle was lucky enough to be asked by Julian Casablancas to join him on his solo tour. Alana (keyboard and guitar) was still in high school at the time. After both finished their work, all three decided to take Haim more seriously.

Boy, do these girls know how to wail on the guitar. Last year, Haim made a big splash in Europe, and they were signed within an hour of playing their first show in the United Kingdom.  Haim gained a larger following this year after playing major US festivals: SXSW, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and numerous European music festivals without even having a full length album under their belt. It seemed like they were everyone’s favorite summer band.

Although the girls are still young, Haim’s music is very sophisticated. They write songs like someone twice their age. For a debut, Haim sounds very accomplished and confident with their direction and message. “Days Are Gone” is well produced, and it fits their style perfectly. Although each of the sisters share the role of singing, front woman Danielle really gives “Days Are Gone” character with her attitude.

I found myself really enjoying a lot of these songs, and “The Wire” is probably one of the best songs listeners will hear this quarter. It will most likely make people’s list of the best songs of the year.  The songs I enjoyed the most were “Forever,” “The Wire,” Don’t Save Me” and “My Song 5.”

I can’t imagine Danielle not dropping the mic right in your face after saying “Honey, I’m not your Honeypie” and then exploding into that dirty guitar riff on “My Song 5.”  That song in particular has different pop effects in it, but is also one of their heavier songs. The product is really strange – but in a good way.

Their whole album is unique. The instrumentation they use with the influences I mentioned before is really smart. Join the crowd and definitely check out “Days Are Gone.”