Sixteen Horsepower -- Olden

Dark southern gothic country/folk. Good stuff -- two intense sets from early demo sessions in the early 90s and one live set from Denver in 1994. Dark, raw, energetic songs of the old deep South -- this is the South of sinners and traveling preachers, of Faulkner and whiskey and sex and violence. Haunting lyrics that sound like incantations from some crazed preacher and great instrumentation -- jew's harp, bandoneon (accordion-like), banjo and dark twanging slide guitar. Some of these songs were re-released on other 16 Horsepower albums but these demos show the band's intensity from the very beginning. Somewhat reminiscent of Calexico and Nick Cave and Jeff Buckley but there isn't much like it outside of old field recordings. GREAT! -- play anything!

1. starts with twanging jew's harp -- then bandoneon and drums come in
2. uptempo apocalyptic stomp -- great!
3. slower lament -- good twanging guitar
4. blistering powerful lyrics
5. heartbreaking warbling vox + slide guitar
6. bandoneon featured -- slower
7. short interview
8. slow, searing lament, builds in power toward end
9. gothic country rock --
10. different version of track 1 -- more energetic
11. good drums at beginning
12. hypnotic -- intense lyrics and guitar
13. slower, creeping -- more powerful lyrics
14. more interviews
15. upbeat live track -
16. sad grinding lament
17. slower -- haunting circus-like accordion
18. murder tale -- upbeat
19. uptempo-- great bass line
20. breakneck live track -- blues/punk