16 Horsepower

Item: Hoarse
Author: Ken Mueller

Hoarse

(2000)

Reviewed by Ken Mueller

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Label Checkered Past RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2001

alternative country americana gothic rock

16 Horsepower has finally released the live album Hoarse here in the U.S. The disc was first released in Europe on Glitterhouse Records. Checkered Past has stepped in to fill the gap on this side of the Atlantic.

16 Horsepower is one of those bands that everyone says you must see live. I've always enjoyed their studio albums, so I was anxious to hear this one, and I must say, it doesn't disappoint. The majority of the disc is from a 1998 show in Denver, while one song comes from a Paris concert. Most of their "hits" are here; if one can say that a band like 16HP has hits. Favorites on the disc include:

American Wheeze
Black Soul Choir
Low Estate
For Heaven's Sake
Black Lung
Horse Head
South Pennsylvania Waltz
Brimstone Rock

For good measure, the band throws in three cover versions of songs that are favorites of those who see them live: CCR's "Bad Moon Risin'," Gun Club's "Fire Spirit," and Joy Division's "Day of the Lords."

All the energy of the band's studio discs is here, plus the trademark instrumental and vocal sounds we've come to expect but it's the little things that really make this album special: the subtle alterations of lyrics as well as David Eugene Edwards' occasional off-mic comments directed at the audience. If you can't see the band live, this is the next best thing.

4.5 tocks