#11 on the 2009 Musical Advent Calendar

The Mountain by the Heartless Bastards

The Mountain was a total surprise. The third album from Cincinnati’s Heartless Bastards, it caught me off guard because I had been thoroughly underwhelmed by their previous two albums. But it turns out there’s a reason for that: the album was produced by Spoon’s producer, Mike McCarthy. Even though the Heartless Bastards are in a completely different musical camp from Spoon, this combination somehow works.

The song above, the title song from The Mountain, is a bit slower and more reserved than the rest of the album. Similar to the Black Keys, the Heartless Bastards prefer a heavy guitar and simple, pounding drums to fall into line behind the lead vocals. Erika Wennerstrom’s Patti Smith-like singing works very well within that formula. If you enjoyed Dan Auerbach’s CD (#28 on the countdown), then reserve a spot on your shelf for this one as well.

Next up: my top 10 of 2009! How exciting for you. Dying in anticipation, I’m sure. Who have I left out? Who will be #1? Tune in tomorrow to start counting down with me!

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12. Creaturesque by Throw Me The Statue
13. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
14. Horehound by The Dead Weather
15. Promenade by Grand Hallway
16. Grand by Matt & Kim
17. Blood Bank EP by Bon Iver
18. Fever Ray by Fever Ray
19. Tell ’Em What Your Name Is by Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
20. Mo Beauty by Alec Ounsworth
21. Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants
22. Noble Beast by Andrew Bird
23. Hungry Bird by Clem Snide
24. Actor by St. Vincent
25. Elvis Perkins in Dearland by Elvis Perkins in Dearland
26. XX by the XX
27. Grrr… by Bishop Allen
28. Keep It Hid by Dan Auerbach
29. It’s Blitz! by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
30. Beware by Bonnie “Prince” Billie
31. Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear