Album Review: Band of Heathens 'Duende'

Austin’s The Band of Heathens - Ed Jurdi, Gordy Quist, Richard Millsap, Trevor Nealon, and Scott Davis - will release their fifth studio album Duende, on January 13th. Defined as a spirit of passion and inspiration, Duende solidly puts forth that mood with songs exploring interpersonal relationships, communication, and social issues via a groove infused, divinely relaxed style.

Things kick off with the earnest, warm plea for another chance on “All I’m Asking,” which immediately pulls you in with its infectious backbeat and lush melody. Duende also includes the carefree vibe of “Last Minute Man” and the high-energy roots rocker “Trouble Came Early” which were premiered pre-release, as well as seven other originals including the sultry, trippy groove of “Sugar Queen” (based on a character from Plath’s The Bell Jar), the romantic jam “Deep Is Love” and “Road Dust Wheels” which fuses Latin rhythms in a song about the memory that lingers as people leave their families for a better life. Duende is rounded out by the contemplative shuffler “Keys To The Kingdom,” the soulfully funktastic tale of a woman working her way into his heart on “Daddy Long Legs” and the ethereal “Cracking The Code” before closing with “Green Grass of California” a gently soothing number about marijuana and its legalization.

Duende is infused with the spirit of the blues, rock and roll, country, soul, and more; capturing the essence of Americana and conveying a musical passion evident through dynamite grooves, thoughtful lyrics, and the smooth vocals of Jurdi and Quist all of which  permeate your speakers leaving you on a musical high.

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