Gainesville's easy-going alt rock favorites Sister Hazel seems to be on cruise control when it comes to writing great songs. Their eighth and latest studio album, Heartland Highway (due out Tuesday, October 12, on Rock Ridge Music) follows in the solid footsteps of last year’s Release, which earned Sister Hazel widespread acclaim and their first spot on the Top 40 Billboard 200 charts.
While still deeply rooted in the sound and vibe that has earned the band such a loyal following, Heartland Highway is a bit more eclectic than previous Sister Hazel fare. Likely it has much to do with how the 12-track album was put together. Vocalist Ken Block, guitarist/vocalist Drew Copeland, lead guitarist Ryan Newell and bassist Jett Beres contributed three songs each, and all four not only wrote but produced his own individual songs, giving each a slightly different feel but still keeping the distinct Sister Hazel aesthetic. “All of us like a lot of different music,” says drummer, Mark Trojanowski, “but we have a vibe together.” Nashville-based engineer Chip Mattews (considered by some to be the band's unofficial sixth member) was tasked with bringing all of the songs together into one cohesive recording. “His dedication to our project,” offers Ken Block, “was incredible.”
This article appears in Oct 7-13, 2010.