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LAist CD Review: Uh Huh Her's Common Reaction
Artist: Uh Huh Her
CD: Common Reaction
Release Date: Aug. 19
Common Reaction is the first full-length CD released last Tuesday by the LA band Uh Huh Her. Camila Grey (formerly of Mellowdrone) and actress-musician Leisha Hailey (The L Word) front the four-piece band. Hailey’s probably the better known of the two, thanks to the Showtime series and her time spent in the ‘90s band The Murmurs (best known for the sublime ditty, “You Suck”).
But for those expecting feminist Lillith Fair folkiness will be sorely disappointed. Common Reaction is filled with tightly crafted electro pop—think an updated version of the Cocteau Twins.
Hailey and Grey play various instruments and exchange vocal duties on the tunes; their voices complement each other well. The CD’s highlights include the lead track (also the lead single) “Not a Love Song,” which would fit perfectly on a soundtrack to say, a Lesbian soap opera, and “Common Reaction” which is a total throwback to the synth heavy '80s. That's not a surprise since they cite The Cure, Depeche Mode and David Bowie as a few of their influences. But the standout and most accessible track is the pop-inflected “Say So,” which isn’t as mid-tempo or moody as some of the other cuts.
So while Common Reaction probably won’t shatter sales records, it’s better than what you hear on pop radio. Give me the worst track from Uh Huh Her than the best track from top of the pops Miley Cyrus any day -- if that’s at all possible.)
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