HEARTLESS BASTARDS
"Stairs
and Elevators" (Fat Possum; 2005)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
"Stairs and Elevators" is old time
rock'n'roll. Heartless Bastards could be placed in the same bin as The White Stripes but without the hype. With a lead singer and two guys banging on their instruments with fervor, this band could help to save a dying breed of rocker. Dayton, Ohio is the home place of Heartless Bastards.
The guitar is muddy but bluesy. Erika, the lead singer, has the voice of Robert Plant and the vocal gruff of Janis
Joplin. It's an interesting overall sound. The drums never overpower and the bass flows along with every song.
It takes a couple of listens because this is part garage rock and part blues club
music. It may be too new to those who are brainwashed into what they like and
forget about trying something new. I'll admit it was new to me but I'm glad I gave it a chance. The vocals will hold you
while the guitar is raw yet tamed.
This is a quote from their website: "Stairs and Elevators made the New Yorker's list of under appreciated pop records of 2005." Now
doesn't that make you want to find out more?
The best songs here are "My Maker," "Pass and Fail," and "The Swamp Song."
Heartless Bastards: Erika Wennerstrom - vocals and guitar; Kevin Vaughn - drums; Mike Lamping - bass.
For more information, check out www.heartlessbastards.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 09 Dec 2009 03:28:02 -0600.
