Fall Horsie- Devil(e) Durge

CD Review

Artist: Fall Horsie

Label: Youth Club Records

Released: October 7^th, 2008

Reviewed by: Sarah Miller (Vancouver Correspondent)

When you first sit down to listen to Fall Horsie, you might think that you accidentally picked up one of your classical music CDs by mistake (assuming that is, that you like classical music, and still use CDs). Combining elements of Waltz, Ragtime and contemporary classical music, Fall Horsie works together like a chamber group with dramatic strings and complex arrangement over songwriter Justin Karas' lilting melodies.

Musically, this album feels a little bit mismatched with its subject matter. Most of the songs on the record were written in Halifax during the fall of 2006 and winter of 2007 while Karas' was being visited in dreams by visions of the devil. The darkness of the lyrics does not seem to fit with the beauty of Fall Horsie’s classically inspired music, or the interesting complexity of his arrangements.

There are a lot of good things happening in Devil(e) Durge, but you have to sift through the nonsensical and often rambling lyrics. Karas’ voice, the driving force of the piano and the strings act as a saving grace. Fall Horsie are undoubtedly talented musicians, but their music requires really active listening and a lot of dissection. If you like puzzles with your music, and working hard to listen and to find meaning within songs then Devil(e) Durge is the album for you. Fans of lighter musical fare might want to pass.

Track Listing:

Hornets and Bees

Cloudy Eyes over Arid Face

The Devil’s Performance

A Stone

Horses on the Boulevard

The Devil’s Winter Bones

The Devil took the Shape of a Dog

Water and Bridges

Heat Shelter’s Periscope
Swansong