A Beautiful Life

On its straightforward but deeply felt sixth album, the Ohio rock band positions music itself as a salve against the horrors of the world.

It was obvious on their 2005 debut album, Stairs and Elevators, that though the Heartless Bastards were a band, it was clearly vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Erika Wennerstrom who was not only the star of the show but the one calling the creative shots.