That’s CTL Records. As in Choose to Lose Records. The Heise Brothers, real-life siblings Nelson and Robert, would appear to be using Beck’s ‘Loser’ as a rock ‘n’ roll template. Except the brothers Heise haven’t enjoyed a fraction of the recognition of Mr Hansen. “Did you mean: The Heine Brothers?” No, Google, I did not.

That’s not to say these bros, Nelson, on vocals, guitar and miscellaneous instruments, and Robert, on bass, are the only band members. Extended family includes drummer Stacie Archer, Joshua "Stook" Stuckey on guitar and vocals, Toby Lee Marshall on keyboard, and backing vocalist Akourkor Ablorh. Not to mention Kirk Liska on percussion, drummer Mike Velasquez, vocalist Jennifer Berg, Tim Binger on cello, lap-steel guitarist Caleb Garn, and Toby Cryns on piano and keyboards.

Highlights of the Heise Brothers’ sophomore effort, although the duo previously performed for 11 years as Munkey Juice with bandmates featuring Archer and Stuckey amongst their number, include the Spaghetti-Western flavoured ‘Island Wake’. Perhaps the strongest track, though, is the maudlin, yet strangely singalong, ‘Throw Them Kisses, Woody Allen’. A song originally composed by The Giddyup Jesus, one of Nelson’s portfolio of former groups.

Mention must also be made of obligatory slowie ‘Billy’ and penultimate track ‘The Revenge of The Self-Imposed Hero’ on which Nelson adopts a snarl entirely in keeping with the song’s title. And strong finish of a final number ‘Sacred Place’ continues in the county tradition of emphasizing the importance of spirituality. See, the Devil doesn’t always have the best tunes.

My well-thumbed dictionary defines saga as “a long story of heroic achievement, especially a medieval prose narrative in Old Norse or Old Icelandic.” Or, alternatively, “a long, involved account or series of incidents.” The Heise Brothers fit the former definition best on what is hopefully the latest in a long-running series of albums. Long may the saga continue.
(4/5)