I Wanna Take The Band of Heathens to Prom
(spicy language ahead)
By Robert Dean
Ladies and gentlemen, chirren, and babies, in-betweens,
grown folks, fuck ups, tweakers, booze hounds, smokers, tokers, midnight
jokers, weirdos, dweebs, sluts, dorks, nerds, rad dudes, sick chicks,
hillbillies, city slickers, burnouts, jerkoffs, and just plain ol’ cool
motherfuckers – Band of Heathens has a new record out next Friday, and it’s like a goddamn
ray of sunshine.
That’s right, you bearded weirdos, we’re doing the drunk
review thing again. And this week is brought to you by Two Buck Chuck at Trader
Joe’s cuz my wife buys it by the case, and I’m already a bottle of red in. So,
let’s get talking about these here Heathens. (My breath smells like your high
school best friend’s hot mom. You know who I’m talking about. You didn’t know
then, but you know now what was up.)
Hailing from my current locale of Austin, TX – The Band of
Heathens got themselves a new record out, it’s called Duende, whatever the fuck that means. I had to Google it, and I
think I heard them say something about awesome shit being one with the universe
and all of the feels. Cool. I like it when the universe doesn’t screw you. So,
good on ya, Heathens.
But, about this record. This shit smokes, dawgs. I may have
consumed a whole lot of alcoholic drinks before this here engagement, but I can
tell you, Duende ain’t “no mouse
music” as the dude from Arhoolie Records
likes to say. Instead, the record sounds like if every awesome dude you knew
with killer taste in records was like, “fuck it man, let's start a band.” And
that band ruled. Duende features the
best parts of acts like JD McPherson,
Black Keys, and the Beach Boys (it’s those huge harmonies). There’s even shades of My Morning Jacket and Neil Young, The Band (Songs from the Big Pink, anyone?) as
well.
Sugar Queen is a
super funky groover that just sounds like the south, man. These dudes totally
sound like an Austin band. The groove, the playing is as tight as a duck fart, and
it feels effortless. The vibe is transparent, and there’s no lame showboating
with taking extended solos, which The Band of Heathens could be that band, but
rather they’re focused on a hard as nails song.
I hate it when music journalists, or guys drunk, alone in
their home office (me) use the word “textured” but, in this one, singular case,
it’s got merit. The Band of Heathens managed to take a whole bunch of sounds,
and layer them in this honky tonkin’ Beatles way that pays off. There’s so much
going on existentially on this record, and I think that’s why I’m crushing on
it. Maybe it’s the wine talking, but I’d take Duende to prom. I’d be a gentlemen. I’d buy it a beautiful flower,
save my paychecks from Blockbuster video and do it big because Duende deserves it.
Bottle two is officially open. I’m going to be hungover as
fuck tomorrow. Let’s cut to the chase: buy Duende.
Go see The Band of Heathens on tour. I bet these songs crush live. Maybe, buy
these guys some shots. Yeah. Shots.
-----------
Duende is available for pre-order and will be released Friday, January 13.
No comments:
Post a Comment