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Arrow - Heartless Bastards
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Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Produced by Jim Eno of Spoon, Arrow is the fourth album for the Austin-based band from Ohio and its first on Partisan Records with new guitarist, Mark Nathan.
  • Record Label: Partisan
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Garage Punk, Indie Rock
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. The A.V. Club
    Feb 14, 2012
    91
    Arrow is the Bastards' best album to date.
  2. Under The Radar
    Mar 22, 2012
    60
    "Got to Have Rock and Roll" is as fierce a rock statement as they've recorded. [Mar 2012, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    Feb 21, 2012
    20
    This is a grating, difficult, unsatisfying album.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. mica32j
    10
    How to succeed in the music business is increasing difficult for indie groups like the Heartless Bastards. How about following up their breakout album with something even better & then tour the hell out to spread the word. That is exactly what they are doing, old school. Where "The Mountain", trekked the path of folk rock, "The Arrow" takes the gritter road of in your face rock and roll. What is most impressive about this album is that the music is not overshadowed by Erika's vocals but equally compliments. And they are not afraid to show off, with six of the ten tracks pushing five minutes plus. Add to mix the increasingly strong song writing and you have something very very special. Think about what Janis Joplin would sound like if she grew up listening to Neil Young and Led Zeppelin and you have this album. Check out the tour dates for this band & see them perform what I consider their best album to date.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. waltsings
    9
    This album sounds great, as if someone had invented indie rock in the 70s . Her voice is beautiful, especially in gems like "Only for you". From "Marathon", the opening track, to "Down in the Canyon", this is going to be a true journey for your ears, a journey in which you are constantly reminded of how a guitar should be played.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. AlexxTrusc
    7
    Although on the Heartless Bastards' album - "Arrow" there're only 10 tracks, it's interesting - sometimes minimalist and subdued songs such as "Marathon" and "The Arrow Killed The Beast" in conjunction with climatic timbre of singer's voice gives total quite strong position . Erika Wennerstrom and the band ain't limited to one genre and serve us for ex. based on country motifs "Low Low Low", catchy "Simple Feeling" or indie rock "Parted Ways" and reminiscent of The Black Keys "Only for You".… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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