Neon Horse- Haunted Horse: Songs of Love, Defiance, and Delusion

Nobody is exactly sure who they are. They come from Los Angeles and are one of the many bands on Tooth & Nail, but other than that is unclear. Up to this point, they've managed to keep their names and faces a mystery, but voices and something of a talent are what makes Neon Horse something identifiable.

Their odd and somewhat creepy style is something that would repulse most listeners. But those brave enough to listen all the way through a full album found the style growing on them. Rock, fueled by dancy synths and catchy beats sounds great right? Something like old-school Jonezetta or maybe even some newer Falling Up? Not even close. The vocals used by Neon Horse are what sets them apart. They are not in any way normal. It's difficult to describe... very nasally and very eerie. There is not much that is melodic about it, either. And the background singer is even stranger. I don't think words can do them justice--you'd have to check them out for yourself. Nevertheless, they have released a sophomore album that very well lives up to its name.

The grand opening, "When Daddy Gets Home," is somewhat catchy, but still very creepy. Trying to keep it out of your head is more like trying not to scratch a bug bite. And you most likely won't find yourself tapping your feet (although I was tempted to during the final two songs). Haunted Horse was a good name choice for this album. Most of these tracks will have listeners cringing--unless, of course, they're fans--at the spookiness and strangeness. "Strange Town"--track two--has very good synths, but the title describes the song well. It's not anything that you will immediately want to like. Something like this would have to grow on you... and even then it would probably take a long time. I can't say I even like it now, listening to the album through and through. For the third track, "Yer Busy Little Beehive," the even creepier background vocalist takes over. With the addition of some piano, the only word I can use is haunting. And the line, "Dancing with the devil on the edge of the abyss--don't look down" just somehow does not seem right. I question this band's sanity.

Songs such as "When Daddy Gets Home," "Follow the Man," "Some Folks," and "Comin Up Theventh," start with instrumentals that sound somewhat like Starflyer 59--which would make sense if the specualtion about SF59's Jason Martin being in this group is true. I find this odd because of SF59's laid back, slow, normal style--completely contrasting Neon Horse. But then again, Martin is very multi-talented. And I would think that releasing the new SF59 album, Ghosts of the Past, on the same date might be a ploy to throw people off of their suspicion of his involvement with Neon Horse. Very clever.

I would say that the music in "Some Folks" outweighs the vocals, so that I would actually enjoy listening to it again, just for the music. And the following song, "Haven't Sinned In Years" sounds like there's actually some real singing in places, and it doesn't sound half bad! That's a definite highlight for me. The ending synths sound really cool as well.

Altogether, I would recommend this to fans of Starflyer 59, just for kicks. I don't think too many people could take it as serious music, but I suppose it's possible that it could grow on you if you let it. As for me, I'm going to try my hardest not to let that happen. But I'll let you decide that for yourself.