The Band Of Heathens

The Band of Heathens | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: BOH Records
• ASIN: B0017HVNE2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,327 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Country, rock, blues and folk from Austin, TX, June 26, 2008

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Band Of Heathens (Audio CD)

Having gravitated to one another's live sets at Momo's in Austin, Texas, songwriters Colin Brooks, Gordy Quist and Ed Jurdi (together with bassist Seth Whitney and drummer John Chipman) formed The Band of Heathens and released their 2006 debut as, unsurprisingly, "Live at Momo's." More unusually, their follow-up was also a live disc, and it wasn't until this 2008 release that the quintet settled down to record in a proper studio. Their combination of country, rock and blues has a distinctly southern flavor, venturing towards Southern Rock and stadium-sized energy of John Mellancamp's heartland singalongs, but remaining rootsy throughout. There are numerous antecedents here, including the bluesy melting pot of Little Feat, the 1970s rock-goes-country Rolling Stones, the eclecticism of Commander Cody and NRBQ, and the rustic sentiments of The Band.

Produced by the legendary Ray Wylie Hubbard, the disc's eleven songs cover a lot of ground, from multi-part harmony-laden country to electric blues rock. The Southern fried gospel blues of "Unsleeping Eye" nods vigorously to Little Feat, and the mandolin and pump organ (courtesy of Stephen Bruton and Gurf Morlix, respectively) of "Second Line" add a lazy New Orleans drawl. Patty Griffin adds her voice to "Maple Tears" sad story of cross-border broken hearts, and the oil-rigger's tale, "Nine Steps Down" has an irresistible radio-ready melody. Among the most successful productions are the album's simplest, such as the gentle arrangement of Ed Jurdi's love song, "40 Days," and the salacious backporch blues "Cornbread," featuring producer Hubbard on slide guitar.

The Band of Heathens mix of blues, rock, country and folk brings to mind the ground-breaking experiments of the late `60s and early `70s, as well as the more commercially-oriented efforts of acts like The Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Eagles. The results neatly provide country music fans a respite from the pop productions of Nashville's mainstream without resorting to the archness of alt.country opposition. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sound!, March 1, 2009

By 

djo165 (Dallas, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Band Of Heathens (Audio CD)

I saw The Band of Heathens live recently, then bought the CD. While the live show was good, this CD is what really impresses me. Other reviewers mention that they remind one of Little Feat, and while I agree with that, I'd also say they have a bit more of a diverse sound. Three different band members share the song writing duties and lead vocals, and the differences play off each other very nicely. I'm really looking forward to their next release.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Old wine in new bottles. But, man, it's good, good wine, August 28, 2008

By 

A. Helfer (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Band Of Heathens (Audio CD)

I caught The Band of Heathens by chance at the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival last Sunday. What a great live band. I snatched up this, their first studio CD, right away. These guys are the real deal. Their sound may not be original or unique, but it's a great sound, and they nail it. The musicianship is excellent, they've got great songwriting chops, and it's music that makes you want to get up and move. Or crack a few beers and kick back.

I think the Amazon review comparing them to the Eagles is totally wide of the mark. This stuff is more in the vein of blues/roots/country rock/Southern Fried. And it's organic where the Eagles always seemed slick and canned to me. I'd say a bit of early Little Feat, a touch of The Band. Solid songs. And there are some big names gracing these tracks, too. Patty Griffin on a few, Gurf Morlix adding some texture.

As a heathen myself, I'm expecting some great things out of this band of songwriters. Check them out.