Country Sides the new release by The Band of Heathens marks their 20th anniversary as a band. The band was basically formed from a local collaboration that grew organically the old school viral way, by word of mouth. (There was no TikTok viral push available back then.) Over the last 20 years, The Band of Heathens have kept their DIY ethos. This album finds the Austin-based collective comfortably in their groove, blending Roots Rock, Country and swampy Soul with effortless chemistry between founding songwriters Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist. The LP was self-produced with longtime collaborator Jim Vollentine in just over a week at the band’s own Finishing School studio.
The opening song “No Direction,” a lush, pedal steel-tinged Country ballad, sets the tone of the recording. Next, the laid-back groove of “High on Our Own Supply,” reflects on the fact that through the years the band has had everything it needs without the help of any outsiders. The album is not all laid back grooves though. Tracks like “Take the Cake” and “She’s the Night” infuse swampy guitar and upbeat piano with catchy hooks that reward repeat listens. The album’s themes of self-reliance, time passed, and lessons learned feel deeply earned, particularly coming from a band that has deliberately carved its own path outside the mainstream. They do lean into their Country influences with more pedal steel than usual, but they never sacrifice their signature soulful swagger. The interplay of swampy grooves, soulful harmonies, and barroom piano is a hallmark of a sound they forged before the classic Soul revival was cool.
Overall, Country Sides is a rewarding listen that honors the band’s past while pointing forward. It’s an album that feels personal without being inward-looking. It is a collection of songs that sit comfortably alongside the Heathens’ best work yet. For longtime fans, it’s a welcome chapter, and for newcomers, it’s a rich introduction.
About the author: Chip and his family live in Birmingham, AL. Roll Tide!