Worn sweatshirts, videogames, cute girls in Starbucks uniforms, waking up past noon, making eye contact at an indie show, late night television, paperbacks, "just cuddling," futons: these are the things of the world of Hayden, the official composer of the soundtrack to the twenty- somethings' days of malaise and weeks of ennui. The husky- throated Canadian seems to have moved out his parent's basement on his second LP, as the vocals and acoustic lofi aesthetic has evolved into a full band. Not that this signals a new era of stage- diving, high- kicks, and guitar smashing for the tender balladeer.
The songs still maintain the beautifully forlornness and hushed power. Hayden takes new strides-- what could be classified as mature strides-- with the chilling piano- driven "Nights Like These," the novacaine numbness of "You Are All I Have," and the indie- pop- sprinkled- with- trip- hop sounds of "The Hazards of Sitting Beneath Palm Trees." It also sounds like he got whatever was stuck in his throat coughed up.
However, these welcome plot developments in the career of Hayden are anchored by the lack of Everything I Long For's detail driven storytelling. The past specifics of sweethearts staying in bed and calling in sick to work are now boiled down to "You Are All I Have." At times, I wonder if Geffen might spring for some Prozac or hookers, just to see where else Hayden could go. But on a day like today, when it's raining, I have a fever, and my girlfriend is away, I'm content with Canada's favorite one- trick pony.