Self-released
Austin, Texas’ The Band of Heathens is often classified as classic Americana, but that tag isn’t exactly as all-encompassing as it might imply. Actually, on its third studio album, the quintet manages to roll sideways through a lyrical and scenic bit of audio geography that the group can call its own as it takes on the blues ( “Should Have Known” ), folk bliss ( “Polaroid” ) and gospel-tinged soul ( “The Other Broadway” ), as well as a soaring shuffle ( “Gravity” ), a resonating piece about the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill ( “Free Again” ) and a low key pearl of harmonic heaven ( “Gris Gris Satchel” ). The Band of Heathens triumphs, not only because it captures the Americana spirit, but also because it reminds us what it’s like to be human.
