The Heartless Bastards, Arrow

By Danny R. Phillips

The Heartless Bastards are a bit of an anomaly in the world of music. They are a rock band led by the charismatic and clever Miss Erika Wennerstrom. Instead of taking the manufactured pop road much traveled like Katy, Britney, or Lana, Wennerstrom charges ahead like Chrissie Hynde, strapping on a guitar and scorching the Earth.

Arrow, the Bastards fifth album and first for Paristian Records, is full of exceptional lyrics, 1970s rock stomp, and just a sprinkling of country twang. Where 2009’s The Mountain (my pick for album of the year) was full of heartbreak and cathartic reflection (Wennerstrom had ended a nine-year relationship), Arrow is packed with wonder and acceptance of life.

Opening with the mellow “Marathon,” a tune about watching the world go by you, the album really starts with “Parted Ways,” a joyful, Cowboy Junkies-esque look at life without someone and the realization that you’re so much better off without them.

Where there are moments of quiet, calm reflection, Arrow also roars with good old rock ‘n’ roll bombast. “Down in the Canyon” is powered by vintage Black Sabbath sludge; “Gotta Have Rock And Roll” has the vocal delivery and guitar sound of an Edgar Winter Group b-side; “Simple Feeling” basks in the ornery, yet warm, glow of Iggy and The Stooges; and “Arrow and the Beast” is dreamy, Spaghetti Western ambiance paired with masterful storytelling—it’s like wandering through the desert with Clint Eastwood as your only companion.

Wennerstrom and her crew of rock ‘n’ roll champs have mastered the delicate balance of mixing noise with country and rock ‘n’ roll with genuine feeling, all without sounding trite or god forbid, like The Eagles.

Erika’s songwriting has grown by leaps and bounds since the band’s first record Stairs and Elevators, her words and phrasing growing more confident with each passing record. Arrow is a yet another great record from The Heartless Bastards. It is pointing towards The Mountain only this time, better and more powerful. It’s an early contender for my record of the year and it’ll take a giant to change my mind.

Arrow was released by Partisan Records on February 14. To find more information and to order the album, please visit the band’s website.

Tour Dates:
February 14: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
February 16: Columbus, OH @ The Basement
February 17: Cincinnati, OH @ Madison
February 18: Indianapolis, IN @ Radio Radio
February 19: Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
February 20: Toronto, ONT @ Horseshoe Tavern
February 23: Boston, MA @ Middle East–Downstairs
February 24: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
February 25: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
February 27: Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar
February 29: Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern

March 1: Chapel Hill, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
March 2: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
March 3: Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
March 6: Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
March 8: Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic
March 9: Fort Worth, TX @ Lola’s
March 10: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live