Drunk Horse is a good old fashioned bar band. They are heavily influenced by the 70s rock-n-roll that could be heard in any beer joint on a Friday night. In Tongues is one part Deep Purple, one part Molly Hatchet, and one part Crazy Horse. Nothing about this CD is slick. It isn't meant to be. This style of music relies on musicians and not on studio tricks.
"Nice Hooves" and "Vacation Shuffle" remind us of the best parts of Garage-Rock, where as "Priest-Maker" and "Reformed Asshole" remind us of the worst. The truth of 70s rock, was that when it worked, it was great, but when it failed, it was pure riff-wanking. In Tongues has some of both. Nothing is going to surprise you. Some of it will make your foot tap, some of will make you bang your head, and then some will just annoy you.
Eli Eckert has the perfect vocal tone and delivery for the Garage-Rock sound of Drunk Horse. The rhythm section propels the songs nicely, without ever really stepping in the forefront. This band really lives and dies on the layers of guitars and synths provided by Joel Robinow. The intro to "Reverse Close Encounter", with the distorted bass eighth-notes by Cyrus Comiskey and the keys of Robinow, show what the band can be, but by the time the third verse of this song comes around, you are begging for a little creativity.
If you pronounce the word "rawk", then this CD might be for you. Drunk Horse plays old-style riffs with enough distortion to make you think about putting bell-bottoms on. There are some clunkers on this CD, but overall what you would expect from a group of guys who jam first and worry about production later. If In Tongues is any indication, this band is one to look for live.
Track Listing
1. Strange Transgressors
2. Nice Hooves
3. Howard Phillips
4. Priestmaker
5. Self-Help
6. Vatican Shuffle
7. Grinding Teeth
8. Reformed Asshole
9. Reverse Close Encounter
10. Skydog
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