The Heartless Bastards played Chicago earlier this year and, if their new album The Mountain is any indication, I wish I would have been there to see it. On The Mountain the trio dishes out some seriously blues-driven roots rock that certainly references Led Zeppelin and the early 70’s in more than a few places. The guitars and grooves are think like molasses and aside from the howling vocals of singer/guitarist Erika Wennerstrom (easily the most remarkable part of the band), the most noticeable thing about the band is their pacing.

For whatever reason, the Heartless Bastards never feel the need to push the pace much higher than a stomping simmer, maybe because it’s those languid tempos and plodding rhythms are what the Heartless Bastards do best. Don’t get me wrong, though, the band isn’t one dimensional. By augmenting their standard guitar, bass, and drums with the likes of steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle, Wennerstrom and company have both upped the ante and embraced their Ohio roots. It’s like Janis Joplin vs. Led Zeppelin at a honky tonk and (lucky for us listeners) is way more than just rudimentary four-chord blues-rock. The band is playing Chicago’s Bottom Lounge on Friday. I’ll be there. You should check ‘em out as well.

MP3 | Heartless Bastards – The Mountain The Mountain

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1. The Heartless Bastards / The Gaslight Anthem / Good Old War – Live 4/3/09 @ The Bottom Lounge
2. Review: Birdmonster – From The Mountain To The Sea
3. Review: TV On The Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain (or) unleash the cookie monster
4. Review: TV On The Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain (or) calling to the front range
5. Review: .357 String Band – Fire & Hail