The Mountain (out Feb. 3rd) is the third album from Dayton, OH's Heartless Bastards. The new album was produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail Of Dead).The band is really the brainchild of singer/songwriter/guitarist Erika Wennerstrom. For this album she surrounded herself with a new band which includes drummer Dave Colvin and bassist Jesse Ebaugh.
Heartless Bastards' music is based on no-nonsense blues rock, with Wennerstrom's voice seizing the spotlight. She bellows and rasps her way through these eleven tracks like a 21st Century Janis Joplin. You can almost picture her swigging from the 40oz of Jack on songs like "Could Be So Happy".
While Wennerstrom's powerful lungs are undoubtedly star attraction, the music should not be underestimated. These songs are as vibrant as they are boombastic, with countless layers to peel back and explore.
"The Mountain" opens the record with a jagged and dynamic soundscape. The tempo picks up with the garage rock clatter of "Out At Sea", before settling into a mournful blues groove.
The band has some textural trips up their sleeves as well. All is revealed when they break out the string arrangements on an elegant "So Quiet" and a banjo for the organic "Had To Go".
The Mountain is a sonic adventure the listener won't soon forget.
Heartless Bastards play Calgary Apr. 7, Edmonton Apr. 8, and Vancouver Apr. 10 in support of Gaslight Anthem.
Best tracks: "Out At Sea", "The Mountain"
Track listing for The Mountain:
- The Mountain- MP3
- Could Be So Happy
- Early In the Morning
- Hold Your Head High
- Out At Sea
- Nothing Seems the Same
- Wide Awake
- So Quiet
- Had To Go
- Witchypoo
- Sway
8.5
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