DEAD HORSE

An interesting band to say the least as they sort of put a new spin on the Post-Rock genre. In fact this doesn't sound like your typical Post-Rock at all but it has that flavour along with a Psychedelic / Jazz / Avant vibe. Whatever it is I really like it. The sax is often dissonant which helps make this all instrumental album an adventerous one.

"Take Me Back To Highland Park" opens with drums as the sax comes and goes. It settles after a minute. This is good. Dissonant sax ends it. "In The Town Of Machine" is the longest song at over 11 1/2 minutes. It's experimental to start out then a catchy rhythm takes over yet at the same time there is this avant vibe going on. It picks up before 4 minutes as angular guitar and sax help out. It settles 5 1/2 minutes in and builds. A nice drum / guitar section 8 minutes in. They are ripping it up after 9 1/2 minutes. Dissonant sax late as it settles. "Gold Roomer" opens with drums, percussion and intricate guitar. The sax comes in and we get some dissonant sax 3 minutes in. The sound changes as it settles in. Great sound here. Cool sound after 6 minutes and check out the drumming !

"Now I Must Hit You" has this catchy melody early then they slow it down. Then we get drums, guitar and sax expressions. It settles some after 5 1/2 minutes then it turns intense a minute later before settling again late. "Pearl Divers Of The Arabian Peninsula" has a heavy beat as the guitar joins in along with other sounds. The sax sounds great after 2 minutes. The electric guitar is psychedelic sounding 5 minutes in and the sax comes to the fore after 6 1/2 minutes. "Hypnotiq American Firework" opens with sax then it kicks in quickly. A melody line is repeated over and over before 3 minutes then the guitar solos over top. It's speeding up 7 1/2 minutes in then it ends experimentally. "Dead Horse" opens with intricate guitar as vocal expressions join in and more. Avant is the word. It then kicks in after 2 minutes. It settles back 5 1/2 minutes in. The sax and guitar are lighting it up 8 minutes in.

A solid 4 stars for sure. These LA guys are a talented bunch.