Album Review: The Heists - Break & Mend
As nights draw in across the Northern Hemisphere, there is a warmth surrounding this new recording from husband and wife recording partnership, The Heists. More pertinent when you discover they hail from a tight knit roots music community in Juneau Alaska. BREAK & MEND is a short six-track collection weaving threads from old time, folk and bluegrass into a wholesome and cathartic listening experience. The theme is a juxtaposition of the natural environment in the duo's home locality, which can be both brutally unforgiving and heartily invigorating. This is harnessed with a core sense of community in an outpost where the collaborative energy of shared playing enacts an important role.
Title track and story song 'Break & Mend' kicks things off in the guise of a traditional folk tale with Andrew Heist taking lead before passing the vocal baton for Erin Heist to take the helm for most of the release, This starts with the uptempo second track 'Buck Up Buttercup’ where jovial fiddle and nifty mandolin raises the stakes in true foot tapping style. 'Forever Old Treadwell' returns to story mode raising awareness of a nearby gold mine catastrophe over a century ago. Thus extolling the critical part song plays in historical recollection and relevance.
'In the meantime' resumes the upbeat feel with virtuoso acoustic playing igniting the airwaves. The final two offerings ramp up the seasonal context especially the need for adaptability and the value of home in a changing environment. 'Roving on a Winter's Night' , a traditional number, sweetly serenades and gently rocks before 'Seasons Turn' vibrantly closes emphasising how we are unabatedly at the whim of nature's indiscriminate cyclical flails.
There is an instant appeal to what The Heists have generated in this timeless collection. The undulating rhythm keeps you alert, the themes pique an interest and a cosy engagement caresses a connection. While BREAK & MEND stems from a highly localised setting, there is a synergy of change and vulnerability that transcends location. A beautiful sound template is carefully curated, with vocal charm and prime musicianship successfully expanding an horizon to make the world a smaller place.
