HORSE the band
Desperate Living


4.0
excellent

Review

by dewkmosi USER (1 Reviews)
August 9th, 2014 | 572 replies


Release Date: 2009 | Tracklist

Review Summary: a contradiction

Recommending Horse the Band to someone isn’t as easy as it used to be. Before A Natural Death was released it was as simple as “dude it’s breakdowns and ***... but with chip tune keys” and said person would instantly know whether or not it was worth their time. Obviously that’s an over simplification of their music but in comparison to Desperate Living, their previous releases ARE simple.


It’s straightforward, light hearted anthems about being a badass band. Happy synths, bouncy drums and “HORSE the mother ***ing Band mother ***er” following a by the book breakdown. It’s fast and dense thrash influences transitioning into a techno break you can dance to followed up with a minute long classical piano piece. Lyrical content is equally varied, from songs about ‘science’ police pursuing the perfect DNA, to shaking the tears from a rape victim’s eyes. Its not as crass as it sounds, thanks to vocalist Nathan Winneke’s creative writing and delivery. A failed relationship is summed up with the line “like dinosaurs!!”. An existential crisis is described by an Italian plumber who contradicts himself with every word.


Funny, serious, progressive or not… what remains constant is Horse the Bands ability to create a fun yet challenging sound. It feels as though each member intentionally keeps their distance from typical metal pit falls. Drums stay off the double bass and cymbals, opting for a cleaner precise ‘rock’ sound instead. The guitarist (singular) doesn’t do anything too fancy, keeps the cleans clean and brings the distorted grooves when needed. Nathans vocals find a nice middle ground between core and skramz and his lyrics have an abstract gonzo feel to them that more than redeem his occasional singy/spoken word passages. Lord Gold on keys is a consistent highlight throughout the album almost competing with nathans vocals and providing most of the atmosphere. The nostalgic Nintendo sound is still prevalent, its just not nearly as interesting as everything else he’s adding to the soundscape.


It’s difficult to describe Horse the Band’s Desperate Living because it’s an album that doesn’t allow itself to be classified… and that is exactly why it’s worth listening to.


user ratings (656)
4
excellent
other reviews of this album
1 of
  • dbizzles (5)
    Radio, radio... can you hear my swan song?...

    MeatSalad (5)
    1 2 3...

    Mouth (4)
    HORSE finally decide to start taking themselves seriously, even if it's only a little bit....

    nebuzad0 (4.5)
    HORSE the band is to strike serious note of desperate life, but it is not evil, the band ...

  • randomguitarist (4.5)
    HORSE the Band have made their hands-down best album to date. Original, unpredictable, and...



Comments:Add a Comment 
dewkmosi
August 9th 2014


6 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

throw away account because ill probably deny ever doing this tomorrow

MeatSalad
August 9th 2014


18661 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

LIKE NOTHING MATTERS

ffs
August 9th 2014


6327 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

cool band

dewkmosi
August 9th 2014


6 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

OH BUT IT DOES



uuhh, pointers? this is my first review and i enjoyed writing it but i want people to enjoy reading it

Mort.
August 9th 2014


26085 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

space it all out then, nobody wants to read this messy wall of text

Trebor.
Emeritus
August 9th 2014


60012 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

wtf

Veldin
August 9th 2014


5408 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

So this is the only Horse album I haven't heard, so do I owe it to the band to check this final release out?

Trebor.
Emeritus
August 9th 2014


60012 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

lol it's by far their best

Mort.
August 9th 2014


26085 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

yeah its easily the best electronic/metalcore (even tho theyre not that much metalcore) release

Scoot
August 10th 2014


22697 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

awesome album

MeatSalad
August 10th 2014


18661 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

it's okay

Gwyn.
August 10th 2014


17270 Comments


are you sure

MeatSalad
August 10th 2014


18661 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

no you're right it sucks

BigPleb
August 10th 2014


65799 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Fuck, ffs digs HTB? Colour me surprised.

MeatSalad
August 10th 2014


18661 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

damn he must have good taste!!!

BigPleb
August 10th 2014


65799 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Just like my man MEATMEATMEAT!!!!

MeatSalad
August 10th 2014


18661 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

::::3333

BigPleb
August 10th 2014


65799 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Hahah

MeatSalad
August 10th 2014


18661 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

pos'ing this cuz it's a desperate living review

dewkmosi
August 10th 2014


6 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

and because it's incredibly well written



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