The 80’s were a great time for music, right? If you’re nodding your head in agreement, then Haim’s debut album, “Days Are Gone” is probably perfect for you.
Haim (rhymes with “time”) is a LA-based rock group which consists of three sisters (Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim) and drummer (Dash Hutton). Haim’s music has a very distinctive 80’s sound, and the band as drawn several comparisons to Fleetwood Mac and Wilson Phillips.
Those influences are definitely apparent on all the songs on Days Are Gone. The album opens with “Falling”, an especially 80’s-reminiscent track with Danielle’s sweet-sounding lead vocals taking up most of the song. Meanwhile, “Forever” is a poppy new-wave track that would’ve fit in perfectly in any movie featuring the Brat Pack.
Lead single, “The Wire”, is the real delight though; the killer guitar licks sound like something David Lee Roth might’ve produced, and the chorus is so insanely catchy that I always get the song stuck in my head after listening to it. “If I Could Change Your Mind” is a mellow, mid-tempo track that proves the girls can sufficiently handle ballads in addition to upbeat rock songs, while the title track, “Days Are Gone” sounds like an ode to 80’s Madonna, but actually manages to be a lot more likeable than some of Madge’s hits from the decade.
The only real downside to Haim’s debut is the length; eleven tracks doesn’t seem tedious on paper, but you can only listen to so many new wave/80’s inspired songs back to back before it becomes a bit tiresome.
That being said, “Days Are Gone” is a very good album. Haim have proved themselves as talented musicians and songwriters (they have writing credits on all eleven tracks), and though they might have boxed themselves in with the 80’s sound on this album, I think they’re capable of (and I’m looking forward to seeing them) branching out in the future and exploring new sounds and different kinds of music.
Rating: 
Track Listing
1. Falling
2. Forever
3. The Wire
4. If I Could Change Your Mind
5. Honey & I
6. Don’t Save Me
7. Days Are Gone
8. My Song 5
9. Go Slow
10. Let Me Go
11. Running If You Call My Name
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TffpkE2GU4]