• Record Label: Partisan
  • Release Date: Feb 14, 2012
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Feb 20, 2012
    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
    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.
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  2. Jan 20, 2013
    8
    Brilliant album, very solid effort with only one or two tracks I'd consider as ordinary. There's a few great rock tunes but It's the slower tracks I really warmed too from this one. "Low Low Low" is a sweet little folk tune, some great banjo-Americana awesomeness matched with Erika Wennerstrom's roughish vocals makes me day dream of open roads and endless grassy fields. "Only for You"Brilliant album, very solid effort with only one or two tracks I'd consider as ordinary. There's a few great rock tunes but It's the slower tracks I really warmed too from this one. "Low Low Low" is a sweet little folk tune, some great banjo-Americana awesomeness matched with Erika Wennerstrom's roughish vocals makes me day dream of open roads and endless grassy fields. "Only for You" makes be stop and swoon. I'm new to the band and look forward to back tracking to their previous efforts. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Expand
  3. Feb 16, 2012
    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.
  4. Apr 26, 2012
    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 LowAlthough 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
  5. Mar 21, 2013
    10
    Gritty, soulful, thoughtful songs well-executed throughout; the band feels tightest it's ever been, like they've grown together. Erika Wennerstrom is a highly competent, underrated songwriter. "Got To Have Rock And Roll", "Low Low Low", "Marathon" all remind us that folk-type music can still rock hard. (For my money in 2012, this LP beat AB Shakes' "Boys & Girls" by a mile...and itGritty, soulful, thoughtful songs well-executed throughout; the band feels tightest it's ever been, like they've grown together. Erika Wennerstrom is a highly competent, underrated songwriter. "Got To Have Rock And Roll", "Low Low Low", "Marathon" all remind us that folk-type music can still rock hard. (For my money in 2012, this LP beat AB Shakes' "Boys & Girls" by a mile...and it wasn't even that close.) Expand
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Uncut
    Dec 11, 2012
    70
    The fourth album finds them touting a tougher sound with the addition of a second guitar, but the strident, passionate voice of Erika Wennerstrom remains their calling card. [Jan 2013, p.77]
  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]
  3. Magnet
    Mar 16, 2012
    70
    Wennerstom's voice marvelously leapfrogs between piercing highs and baritone lows, and bassist Jesse Ebaugh carries "Late in the Night" like a subdued, sober and shirted Mel Schacher, though Arrow's languid pace may turn off those who like their rock a bit more rocking. [No. 85, p.55]