All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Austin Chronicle

The Mountain represents not only a point of no return and a cornerstone for the Heartless Bastards; the album's a personal triumph of desolate determination.

Read Full Review >

Paste Magazine

This album isn't merely a single peak, but a whole mountain range.

Read Full Review >

Entertainment Weekly

The third album from this inaccurately named Austin trio opens with its title track, an epic slab of country-grunge that beautifully showcases the soulful, weathered vocals of frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom.

Read Full Review >

Spin

The result, which is gentler and more eclectic than the Bastards' earlier releases, is also Wennerstrom's most glorious, a collection of salty, rousing rock'n'roll that'll leave you aching for a roadhouse, a sticky bar stool, and a chipped glass of bourbon.

Read Full Review >

PopMatters

Wennerstrom is content to simply juxtapose the two approaches with ragged enthusiasm, trusting that listeners can recognize the kinship. Chances are we can. Especially when the results are as artful as they are on this record.

Read Full Review >

Blender

With steel guitars, fiddles, banjos and newspaper-scrap reports of floods and desolation, The Mountain is as fierce as any past Bastards recording, just more honed and hellbound.

Read Full Review >

Billboard

On their third full-length, Heartless Bastards honor the penetrating howl of leader Erika Wennerstrom, who sounds like Robert Plant's less-shrill American sister, by including several acoustic tunes that underscore her vocal versatility.

Read Full Review >

New Musical Express

Angry blues stomps such as ‘Early In The Morning’ are the aural equivalent of Wild Turkey for breakfast, while ‘Out At Sea’ combines the grit and growl of the Bastards’ beginnings with a layering of sounds that’s wider, more expansive and ultimately more interesting.

Read Full Review >

All Music Guide

The Mountain is a more diverse set than the old Heartless Bastards gave us, it's still rooted in the same emotionally direct songwriting and performing that is this band's trademark, and for all that's changed with the band, Wennerstrom has held on to her core virtues.

Read Full Review >

The Phoenix

There's not much fault to find with the music here, however, particularly when she elects to dial down the raw-edged guitar fuzz the Bastards have become known for.

Read Full Review >

Rolling Stone

The new rhythm section swerves and stomps harder than ever, making a racket worthy of Wennerstrom's voice--a veritable mountain of sound.

Read Full Review >

Alternative Press

The Mountain brings a new rhythm section to town--a rejuvenating transfusion for the band--and Appalachian banjo and high-art violin swirls. [May 2009, p.121]

Filter

The Mountain may not be the repositioning kick-in-the-pants that the Heartless Bastards' peddle it as, but Wennerstorm's Midwestern maelstrom's been assuaged by new members and country/folk memes. [Holiday 2008, p.100]

Prefix Magazine

The Heartless Bastards are much better on the alt side of the alt-country dynamic.

Read Full Review >

Pitchfork

With The Mountain, Heartless Bastards have shown that they have the tools and the talent to take at least tentative steps forward into a more ambitious and diverse sound. But it's surprising that they sound so introspective here when they could, and occasionally do, sound world-beating.

Read Full Review >

Dusted Magazine

Rather than erupting with new insights, The Mountain sags audibly beneath the weight of its new strata.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

Intriguingly odd in small does, Wannerstrom's cheerless, unschooled voice and rudimentary guitar chordings can get mighty oppressive over the course of 50 minutes. [Feb 2009, p.82]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
This is the female counterpart to The Black Keys, and they are still signed on the Fat Possum label; well crafted Blues Rock with stunning vocal work. You won't be disappointed.

Ricky The Man gave it a9:
Music (low and behold from the States) that makes you put down your Sonos controller and go out and see a show.

tim m gave it a9:
Rocks like few others. Wennerstrom's voice is perfect for this music. Early nominee for record of the year (with AC Newman a close 2nd).

Mark S gave it a7:
Respectable rock 'n' roll recorded poorly (at least about half of the MP3's).

Jam P gave it a9:
It rules. A big improvement over the previous album.

Bob O gave it a9:
This album gets under your skin in a hurry. Erika's heartworn voice is a grabber, and the group can slam with fury when it wants to. But when they back off and play it subtle, the hooks dig even deeper. Deceptively simple and masterful music.

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

The Mountain

Album Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases