Reviews
Artist:The Band Of Heathens
Album:The Band Of Heathens
Label:Self Released
Tracks:11
Website:http://www.bandofheathens.com/
The first thing which I noticed about this CD was the notable names associated with it. The Cd was produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard, who also lends vocals. Also contributing her voice to three tracks is none other than Patty Griffin have to admit that seeing their names set my expectations high, but luckily I was not to be disappointed.
The band actually came together by accident. They were all doing solo slots at Momo's in Austin, Texas, and got on well together. Thus they began adding harmonies to each other's songs, and this led to greater corroborations. They were dubbed The Heathens due to a press misprint and thus the band was born.
The Band of Heathens are Ed Jurdi, Gordi Quist, Colin Brooks, Seth Whitney and John Chipman, who betweeen them claim all of the songwriting credits and play everything from acoustic guitar to lapsteel, accompanied by guest musicians adding mandolin and slide guitar.
"Don't Call On Me" sets the standard as it gets you singing along from the outset, with your feet tapping in time with the rhythm. It cleverly relays the story of everyday life and someone who is fed up with the run of the mill day to day stuff. I think we can all find something in that to identify with. "Jackson Station" and "Maple Tears" have that down-home southern feel, enhanced by lapsteel, mandolin, and Dobro. Patty Griffin adds her hauntiong voice to the lyrics of 'Maple Tears,' '40 Days (a beautiful song in which in an almost biblical reference the song talks about loving someone despite our turbulent world) and 'Second Line,' somehow adding a depth of feeling to these songs. Her voice blends perfectly with those of the Heathens, creating a wonderful harmony.
"Second Line" has a blues feel straight out of the Mississippi Deltaa, telling of drunken debauchery over a backdrop sound of mandolin and Ray Wylie Hubbard's slide guitar.
"Heart on my Sleeve is perhaps the most radio friendly song on the album and I am sure it is being picked up by radio stations as I type. "Hallelujah" gives us an insight the band, that for them, the road is their saving grace and they live for being out on the road playing live.Overall this is an impressive debut CD, taking the listener on a muscial and an emotional journey and I look forward to hearing more from The Band of Heathens in the future. I hear they have a live Cd called 'Live at Momo's' - I think I may be trying to get hold of a copy along with their live DVD.
Helen Mitchell