View Larger
Rate it!
Avg: 4.0 (439 ratings)
- Date Released: February 3, 2009
- Genre: Rock/Pop
- Style: Rock
- Label: Fat Possum Records
More melodically spare, simple songs that draw you in inexorably
-
We Say...
Heartless Bastards have a simple, archetypal gravity. They're like a church bell or a lighthouse — they draw you in, and their crusty, bluesy songs grow more striking as grand outlines emerge. Even their spine-tingling 2006 college-radio totem "Into the Open" didn't take at first: It sounded like a grain-silo version of U2's War, but without cheek. The Bastards' third album, with a new bassist and drummer (both old Dayton mates of vocalist Erika Wennerstrom, now living in her adopted home base of Austin, Texas), is just as melodically spare, relying more on acoustic instruments, but with songs as big, slow and slow-burn as ever.
The first hooks that sink in make for great driving-nowhere music: "I'm going to keep on running," Wennerstrom repeats over and over on "Nothing Seems the Same," as if nudging herself. "I'm going out to the sweet unknown," she croons in overdubbed harmony on "Be So Happy," getting more specific. She's like a cowgirl in grunge pants, her voice hovering ghostlike over songs — a stark contrast to her crude rhythm guitar, which slams into them. Wennerstrom's got a quaver to rival Corin Tucker or Jolie Holland, yet she withholds more than she releases. Lyrics notwithstanding, the most promising female rock voice of our time seems resigned to, rather than enflamed by, her flight impulse. Maybe the escape is worse than the capture. -
They Say...
After cutting their first two albums as a lean but muscular power trio, the Heartless Bastards have grown into a somewhat different creature on their third LP, The Mountain. Vocalist and guitarist Erika Wennerstrom is the only survivor from the group's original lineup, and after leaving behind her hometown of Cincinnati, OH for Austin, TX, she's assembled a new version of the Heartless Bastards. Along with new members Billy White on bass and Doni Schroader on drums, The Mountain features violins, pedal steel guitar, mandolin, and banjo as well as a few guest guitarists, and though this music is still rooted in Wennerstrom's full-bodied vocals and thick, no-frills guitar work, The Mountain is a more introspective and rootsy sounding album than this group has released to date. Wennerstrom has a voice that can shake apart a room when she's of a mind, but she takes a more subtle approach here, slipping in a few acoustic tunes that allow her to explore the softer side of her instrument, and "So Quiet" and "Had to Go" could pass for a new millennium version of the sort of music Harry Smith would dig up on a regular basis. But if The Mountain is a more diverse set than the old Heartless Bastards gave us, it's still rooted in the same emotionally direct songwriting and performing that is this band's trademark, and for all that's changed with the band, Wennerstrom has held on to her core virtues -- this is fierce, heartfelt rock & roll that tells stories you can believe in and lets the music sing out with a power that's all the more compelling for being firmly rooted in the real world.
“ The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin.”
Rolling Stone
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 11 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 11 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
| 01. |  |
The Mountain |
5:19 |
|
| 02. | |
Could Be So Happy |
3:51 |
|
| 03. | |
Early in the Morning |
2:27 |
|
| 04. | |
Hold Your Head High |
5:05 |
|
| 05. | |
Out At Sea |
3:24 |
|
| 06. | |
Nothing Seems the Same |
5:38 |
|
| 07. | |
Wide Awake |
3:05 |
|
| 08. | |
So Quiet |
2:41 |
|
| 09. | |
Had To Go |
7:29 |
|
| 10. | |
Witchy Poo |
5:22 |
|
| 11. | |
Sway |
5:53 |
|
11 Total Tracks, 50:14 Total Length
Loading...
Playlists If you like Heartless Bastards, check out these member playlists
Explore music recommended by Heartless Bastards fans
Credits
- Howie Weinberg - Mastering // The Billy White - Banjo // The Billy White - Bass // The Billy White - Guitar // The Billy White - Percussion // Mark Nathan - Guitar // Jim Vollentine - Engineer // Jim Vollentine - Editing // Michael Carney - Artwork // Michael Carney - Design // Doni Schroader - Percussion // Doni Schroader - Drums // Willie "Maceo 2" Rhodes - Guitar // Ken Weinstein - Publicity // Mike McCarthy - Producer // Mike McCarthy - Engineer // Mike McCarthy - Mixing
Choose from over 7 million
music downloadseMusic features legendary and emerging artists in every genre: classic rock to classical,indie to international, soundtracks to spiritual, jazz to country and many more.
MP3 downloads work on any digital media player
With eMusic, you OWN your music without any restrictions. Burn music to a CD, play it on your computer, mobile phone or any digital media player - including iPod®, Zune® and Walkman®.
Songs available for 50¢ or less
eMusic subscriptions start at just $11.99 a month for 24 downloads - that's just 50¢ per song! And it gets better from there - our plans go as low as 42¢ per song!
Music Discovery
eMusic is about discovery. We make finding new music fun again with music recommendations from our award-winning team of music experts, member playlists and new music features.
Cancel anytime
With all the great music and site features we're pretty sure you will love eMusic. If not, no problem. You can cancel at any time and keep the music you have downloaded.
© 1992 - 2009 All Media Guide, LLC