16 Horsepower
by Chad Beck
Secret South
16 Horsepower
by Chad Beck
Haunted by the spiritual realm, 16 Horsepower emote a sound that is both eerie and comforting. Itís southern gospel filtered through a believerís tortured soul and can loosely be considered part of the rock ní roll genre, but it is unlike anything youíve ever heard before.
Raised mainly by his grandfather, a Nazarene preacher, bandleader David Eugene Edwards still carries the weight and anguish of a struggling theologian. Edwards married at 17, the same time he left his grandfatherís church to seek a more individualistic Christian path. Such tribulations in life are certain to weigh heavily on oneís view of the world, and Edwards is no exception. Usually such info is best left out of rock criticism, but Edwardís faith is inextricably woven with his mournful/joyful music.
Less upbeat than Horsepowerís last outing, Low Estate, the songs on Secret South are incredibly dour and melancholy. ìBurning Bushî and ìWayfaring Strangerî are quaint little dirges but spooky enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. When Horsepower turn it up a notch, like on the climatic ìStrawfoot,î they are certainly capable of tearing down the temple. Most of South dwells in slower, deliberate fare intent on stopping your heart cold. When Edwards howls lines like ìSorrow stands near aní close at hand/ sorrow stands aní in sorrowís hand the burning emberî (from ìCinder Alleyî), for example, you know youíre not in for Ricky Martinís new album. But itís in this dark tradition that 16 Horsepower thrive, and South is full of chilling lyrical and musical moments.
The best moment on Secret South is the bandís apropos rendition of Bob Dylanís ìNobody ëCept You.î Edwards and Co. make Dylanís twisted love song come alive with strings and a skittering drum line. Incidentally, most of the music on South is made with more traditional folk instruments like the acoustic bass, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Unlike 16 Horsepowerís previous efforts, South becomes monotonous at times with no letting up from the frustrated soul-searching and grief. It is, however, a unique approach to modern music and should find fans in those tired of the usual fluff.