Customer Reviews

One Foot in the Ether (Dig)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Austin's Band of Heathens' latest One Foot in the Ether (BOH Records) is an extraordinarily good record. It's got soul. It's got heart. It's got Rock `N Roll. It's got Blues. Hell, it even contains some plain old country. It also possesses something else, which could prove to be groundbreaking for the band. It contains two or three tunes with "hit" written all over them.

The first track, L. A. County Blues, is a fringe country tune about a free spirit, and according to the band is a tribute to the controversial gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson. The song is about a road trip he takes and how the whole thing goes to hell due to a burnt out tail light and a burned out, via drugs and alcohol, main character. The tune possesses a standard country rock sound to it and a nice dose of heart and soul to accompany it. The guitars drive the song and get the record started out at a rapid pace.

The end of L.A. County Blues blends without a gap into the next tune, Say. It's very smooth little R& B tune you will want to get up and dance and sing too. I loved this song a lot and it's one of the tunes on the record that could, very easily, make the charts. It contains simple yet efficient lyrics - Say what you want to say/do what you want to do/go your own way I'll be going mine too. A great traditional song influenced by Detroit's Motown era. It's catchy as hell and you will want to crank it up and play it repeatedly. It is that kind of a song. It's rarity for a band like BOH, but it is an appealing tune. The vocals possess a very silky and clean sound. You won't be able to contain yourself, nor will you have the desire too.

Track six is a very stylish and soulful song titled You're Gonna Miss Me. My very first thought when I heard the song was this is what would happen if you were to cross Little Feat with The Pointer Sisters. Jazzy, soulful, hip, cool, were all words that flowed through my mind as the song played. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it weren't somewhat of tribute to Little Feat, but it is definitely BOH at their best. Again it will have you up on your feet dancing and a grooving around the house. It did me anyway!

The band consists of Ed Jurdi on vocals, guitar, harmonica, and keyboards; Gordy Quist on vocals and guitar; Colin Brooks on vocals, lapsteel, Dobro, and guitar; Seth Whitney on bass and vocals, and finally John Chipman on drums. The vocals are all extremely smooth and fresh and the guitars and keyboards are all masterfully played though out the record. The rhythm section is the glue that binds it all together just as it is intended to do.

BOH's bio stated they released this record on their own record label even though they have a five record deal with a major record company sitting on the table. Recording this one on their own label allowed them to experiment and by the sound of One Foot in the Ether, they love to have fun with their experiments. I know I had a blast listening to it.

The Band of Heathens and their latest record, One Foot in the Ether is a fine second release masterfully recorded and produced by the band with Mark Addison. It certainly has me looking forward to their next release.

`Rebel' Rod says treat yourself today to this fine record from The Band of Heathens.

By the way, be sure to watch Austin City Limits in its 35th season on November 7, 2009 when The Band of Heathens open for Elvis Costello. It promises to be a great show.

The Band of Heathens' second studio album (their fourth overall, having started their recording career with two live releases) is a big step forward. The artistic palette of last year's eponymous release is carried forward here, but the result sounds less like a collage of influences and more like a band that's discovered its own groove. The twin inspirations of Little Feat and the Band remain particularly strong, but as channeled spirits rather than imitated sounds. With three singer-songwriters contributing a dozen originals to this self-produced release, the group clearly knows they have the goods. Their experience as a live unit pays dividends in the studio, as they sound like a band running through their set rather than musical architects constructing a recording.

The group's comfort is immediately apparent on the chorus harmonies of "Say." Their multipart singing is tight as a drum but also as loose as a casual back porch harmony session. The same is true for the gospel backing of "Shine a Light" and the lead passing on both the Little Feat groove "You're Gonna Miss Me" and sad-sack blues "Right Here With Me." This is a group that's clearly spent time getting comfortable with one another. Their musical sympathy is heard in jamming solos and instrumental codas, and the seemingly ad libbed exhortation to "keep it going" as "You're Gonna Miss Me" threatens to wind down.

The band's name proves ironic as their songs are laced with biblical images. They sing of non-conformists, petulant ex-lovers, and independent ramblers, but these tales are filled with doubt and remorse. Gospel influences, both musical and liturgical, praise the hard work of salvation, cast an accusing eye towards the contradictions and hypocrisy of modern society, and call for reconciliation with one another and, seemingly, a higher power. The clanking blues "Golden Calf" warns of a false idol's allure, and even songs of busted relationships have an eternal ring as they sing "you can give up, you can give in / but you can never quit."

Last year's studio debut climbed to the top of the Americana chart and promoted the band from scattered local club dates to a full touring schedule. Their continuing musical growth is evident in both the absorption of their top-line influences and the addition of new touches, such as the dripping Dark Side of the Moon styled guitar of "Look at Miss Ohio." The results are organic and unforced, and by producing themselves and releasing on their own label, the group remains free to chase their singular, yet multi-headed musical muse. The adage "you have a lifetime to record your first album and a year to record your second" doesn't seem to have vexed the Band of Heathens at all. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

This is an excellent release from the up and coming band of heathens. If you maybe caught their acl episode or have heard one or two songs on the radio and are wondering what cd to get, pull the trigger on this one. Some real tight grooves that dance the fine line between texas rock, country, blues, and acoustic americana. A huge leap up in creativity and talent from their first cd released a couple years ago. As good as this cd is, they haven't peaked yet and that's why I'm giving it four stars. I am eagerly anticipating their next release. If you have a chance to see these guys live do yourself a favor and go for it. They will absolutely blow your mind with their combined talent. One of the tightest and talented bands I have ever seen.....and I have seen my share. I am a very critical reviewer, but if I could give a star rating to their live show they would probably earn six stars on a five star scale. Yeah they are that good.

I wasn't ready for this, I clicked, I heard, I fell out of my chair!.....I thought music like this died a couple of decades ago, it's like I stepped into a time machine back to the Little Feat concert W/Lowell George I saw, they are in that class. the songs are solid as are the vocals, the guitars are awesome, I hate players that are so fast they hide all their mistakes, these guys let you hear every stroke and their songs run from a little bit country to good old rock and roll! I am looking forward to their new one next month!

Nice music in the style between Neil Young and Grateful Dead. A piece of country and another peace of westcoast. It's like spicing a good meal, we take some salt and some pepper. By listening this handmade music you feel your heart's beating higher and makes you feel alright. Either you can smell the countryside or thousands of exhausts from a big city. Authentic music with honest musicians.
Lobo from Hamburg in Germany

So, I grew up in New York metro, and was a punk and hard rock fan for years. Then Drive by truckers led me to Cross Canadian Ragweed and on to Band of Heathens---and they are very, very good. Strong recommendation! A little gospel feel to it, a little country, a little rock. Great sound.

Having been a live music fanatic for almost 40 years and willing to travel for a good show, I saw these guys advertised on an upcoming bill with Cross Canadian Ragweed, who I already like. At my age, it takes a LOT to impress me these days. So I checked out sound clips and bought both of their studio albums, which I can't stop playing for either one of them. Their music is infectious! I would describe it as having captured the "always sounding loaded without sounding sloppy" sound of The Band and Little Feat, with a touch of deliberate lyrical vagueness in the style of Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. Anyone who starts out their CD with a tribute to Dr. Gonzo (aka Raul Duke, aka Hunter S. Thompson) is quite alright with me. One does not need to be loaded to appreciate their music, but it does bring back old memories of how I used to be and am still alive to tell about it. And as other reviewers mentioned, these guys certainly have the musical chops and are well versed in all American roots music. As an example of lyrical vagueness, I thought that Golden Calf was about someone on death row or down and out living homeless. The "eight more seconds" is usually a reference to rodeo bull riding and I interpreted the golden calf to be the good life, so this one to me is just pleading just for a little bit more goodness before the end. Very haunting indeed, but not something one wants to play for momma. The only cut that I didn't really care for was Miss Ohio, which I don't know enough background about. All in all, this one is highly recommended for all old hippies! And if you like this one, check out their first studio album or Live At Antone's with Unsleeping Eye (about a drug crazed long distance truck driver) and Cornbread (the ultimate innuendo).

Saw these guys on Austin City Limits and was blown away with the first few bars of "You're Gonna Miss Me". I immediately went to their website and ordered this album. The album arrived right around Christmas and it hasn't been out of the CD player since (it's now February). This is my favorite album of 2009 and probably the CD I've enjoyed most in the past 3 or 4 years. All three of the lead singers have wonderful voices and they mix together to create beautiful harmonies. There's straight on rock and roll, classic R & B, gospel and quite a bit of country infused folk. This is a fantastic album and I recommend it as strongly as I possibly can. It's a masterpiece!

I saw The Band of Heathens on Austin City Limits and as soon as I could afford the CD, I ordered it. What a huge disappointment!
I played it and am sick over the sound. The production fails on so many counts that I can't list them all and still make it to work on time. The sound is dense to me. Nothing precise and clear from the voices or the instruments. If I didn't have the CD in hand and someone told me that what I was hearing was The Band of Heathens..I'd argue with them.
They are best to be seen and heard on Austin City Limits and some of the videos on YouTube. I haven't seen them in person and I can't comment on that.
Do I recommend the album? No.

I recently saw this band on Austin city limits and immediately ordered the cd. what a disappointment. forget about
THE BAND and LITTLE FEAT comparisons, its more like the OAK RIDGE BOYS trying to be cool with some electric instruments.
there are a few tunes that approach the SUBDUDES in sound, but overall this album sounds like a slick production of neo nashville country stuff. the true rustic soul of THE BAND and the creative instrumental artistry of vintage LITTLE FEAT will never be captured by these wanna bees.
there are some young bands out there capturing a real vibe much more than these guys.
maybe their live stuff is alot better than this studio production...like i said, it is just too slick for me.