Heartless Bastards - Stairs and Elevators

Genre rock Publisher Fat Possum Records External Links Official Site Fat Possum

Remember buying those Criss Cross blue jeans because you knew they'd fall apart in the ass, thus showing what cool thatch-inspired flannel boxers you had on? You thought you were the hottest little ruffian the suburban school ever knew, all because you had the right look and were accepted for who you were: one of them. As you get older, your reliance on being accepted dissipates. You start accepting who you are, you realize your place in the world isn't necessarily looking and acting like everyone else. You have interests all your own, you like to do certain things that go against the norm because they please you, and only you.

When listening to the debut album by Heartless Bastards Stairs and Elevators, you get the distinct feeling that they are delivering songs from that in-between period, or just beyond the "I don't want to wear Criss Cross jeans because everyone else does" threshold. As Erika Wennerstrom's lyrics demonstrate, it's a little more difficult than others to be their own person.

The themes on Stairs and Elevators range from having individualism to the struggle to attain it. Despite that focus group of lyrics, each song is different in its deliverance. The album kicks off with the driving "Gray" where Wennerstrom pronounces that she marches to a different drummer. Later, in "My Maker" she reminds the listener to not forget to "quench your own thirst." It's not like she's overtly commanding the owner of this CD to do what she says, but it's inspiring to hear such words from someone where you can hear the sincerity bleed through the speakers.

If I happened to want to be lectured to, I'd enroll in an elementary logic class, but the music that accompanies these pronouncements is great in its own context. Dirty, loud rock throughout the disc is the tone setter, and even though the distortion is hardly ever changed, you have the distinct feeling that each song has its own zip code (even though they live in the same city). Only one song has a different instrument, the aptly titled "Piano Song," and it wraps the lyrics up expertly: "Time, it takes a toll, but at least I still got my soul." A quiet dig at corporate bands, it cuts a little deeper with an angelic voice.

Wennerstrom and her rhythm section, Mike Lamping and Kevin Vaughn, craft a fine rock album that leaves you dirty but inspired. While listening to Stairs and Elevators, one gets the feeling they'd be perfectly suited to be paired up with the Black Keys (who are label mates), and the Drive-By Truckers (who they are touring with).

Wennerstrom's hypnotic vocal stylings draw few comparisons, so at least her strive to be an individual seems to have succeeded. It has yet to be seen if the music will persist or if the fans will warm up. But it doesn't really matter, because she doesn't like wearing Criss Cross jeans, so you'll just have to deal with it.