The Mountain by Heartless Bastards hasn’t been out all too long and it’s already gearing up to be one of the top releases of the year. The title track, especially, is one about which to get excited. It’s got that laid-back rock drawl you’d generally associate with the South, not Dayton, from whence the band originates.

As stellar a release as The Mountain is, I did do a double take on closing tune “Sway.” That voice, that chord progression in the chorus: I’ve heard that before! Well, something eerily similar. It was as if they lifted a few elements from 90s one-hit-wonder 4 Non Blondes. Yeah, Erika Wennerstrom’s deep vibrato is oft reminiscent of that group, but there’s an added edge that sets her apart.

To tell you the truth, it’s hard to find a weak point on The Mountain. It’s is, all around, an amazing release. Which is why you Seattle folk should check them out tomorrow at The Croc. The Croc!!! It’s open again!!! You cannot imagine how great it feels to say that.

Again: Heartless Bastards. April 11, 2009. Seattle’s Crocodile. Jump down for some other PNW/BC dates…

Heartless Bastards: The Mountain [mp3]

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Heartless Bastards: Searching For The Ghost (Acoustic) [mp3]

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04.10: Vancouver, British Columbia
Commodore Ballroom w/ Gaslight Anthem

04.11: Seattle, WA
The Crocodile Cafe

04.13: Portland, OR
Berbati’s Pan