No, this isn’t about big businesses and individuals taking the “me first” attitude again – no sir, that trend will be over in 8 days. We’re speaking more about Ohio rock trio Heartless Bastards [Official Site, Myspace] who return with their third album The Mountain on February 3 via Fat Possum. Following the critical acclaim of their two previous albums Stairs and Elevators and All This Time, fans have a lot to look forward to with The Mountain.

In true ascetic discipline, Heartless Bastards’ Erika Wennerstrom moved to Austin, Texas in 2007 for a change of inspirational scenery and a new recording project. With the help of producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead), she assembled a group of musicians with whom she gave the songs life and uncovered yet another layer of herself and the Heartless Bastards. The two new Bastards aren’t Texas ringers, but fellow Dayton brethren Dave Colvin on drums, and Jesse Ebaugh on bass, who actually played on the original demo that hooked Fat Possum.

Don’t take my word for it – come check out the lead track from the album “after the jump”

“The Mountain” [mp3]

The Mountain delivers the powerful howl that fans expect from the Heartless Bastards, but also weaves in adventure with mandolins, banjos, strings and Erika’s transcendent voice.

Tracklisting

1. The Mountain
2. Be So Happy
3. Early in the Morning
4. Hold Your Head High
5. Out At Sea
6. Nothing Seems the Same
7. Wide Awake
8. So Quiet
9. Had To Go
10. Witchy Poo
11. Sway

In support of The Mountain, Heartless Bastards kick off their North American tour January 30th. The 30+ shows scheduled include dates where Heartless Bastards will headline as well as shows with The Black Keys, Andrew Bird, and Gaslight Anthem.

Tour Dates
01.30.09 – Young Ave Deli – Memphis, TN *
01.31.09 – Martyr’s – Chicago, IL *
02.03.09 – Great Scott – Boston, MA *
02.04.09 – Maxwell’s – Hoboken, NJ *
02.05.09 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA +
02.06.09 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY +
02.07.09 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY +
02.10.09 – Gravity Lounge – Charlottesville, VA *
02.12.09 – Bottle Tree – Birmingham, AL *
02.13.09 – Government Street Grocery – Ocean Springs, MS *
02.14.09 – Last Concert Cafe – Houston, TX *
02.28.09 – Hailey’s – Denton, TX *
03.15.09 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
03.16.09 – Liberty Hall – Lawrence, KS
03.17.09 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
03.18.09 – SXSW – Austin, TX
03.19.09 – SXSW – Austin, TX
03.20.09 – SXSW – Austin, TX
03.21.09 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
03.23.09 – Lyric Oxford – Oxford, MS
03.29.09 – Mr. Smalls – Pittsburgh, PA #
04.02.09 – Turner Hall – Milwaukee, WI #
04.03.09 – The Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL #
04.04.09 – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN #
04.07.09 – The Warehouse – Calgary, AB #
04.08.09 – The Starlight Room – Edmonton, AB #
04.10.09 – The Plaza Nightclub – Vancouver, BC #
04.15.09 – The Boardwalk – Sacramento, CA #
04.16.09 – Slim’s – San Francisco, CA #
04.21.09 – The Clubhouse – Tempe, AZ #
04.24.09 – Gothic Theater – Denver, CO #

* Heartless Bastards headlining
+ Show with The Black Keys
Show with Andrew Bird
# Show with Gaslight Anthem

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