Horse Feathers

Horse Feathers was another early afternoon delight at Home Slice Pizza. I was trying to get comfortable sitting in a pile of gravel, so things started off real shaky with the camera. It’s amazing to watch the musicians in this band swap out stringed instruments, often times in the middle of a song.

You may as well just make a playlist out of these picks  from our top 50 albums of 2008. Not only are these outstanding albums, but these singles are some of my favorites of the year. Most notable are the tracks posted for The John Henrys, The Heavy, Elliott BROOD, Horse Feathers, and The War On Drugs.

31. The John Henrys – Sweet As The Grain (our review)

The John Henrys show that country music is still alive and well – it just comes from Canada now.

The John Henrys – Lost In The Canyon

32. Howlin’ Rain – Magnificent Fiend (our review)

Grab bong, go to basement, crank up loud. Pretty fucking good, isn’t it?

Howlin Rain – Dancers At The End Of Time

Hear more at our live session with Howlin Rain.

33. The Explorers Club – Freedom Wind (our review)

A wonderful approach to The Beach Boys sound. Their acoustic live session moved them up 10 spots. Amazing 5 part vocal harmonies.

The Explorers Club – Do You Love Me?

Hear more at our live session with The Explorers Club.

34. Elliott Brood – Mountain Meadows (our review)

A rock and roll band playing bluegrass instruments.  That’s a recipe for success with HearYa.

Elliott BROOD – Write It All Down For You

35. The Heavy – Great Vengeance and Furious Fire (our review)

The Heavy capture the 70’s spirit like no other. By far the sexiest album on our entire list.

The Heavy – Colleen

36. Horse Feathers – House With No Home (our review)

There’s a trend following of whispering vocals over sparse instrumentation in the indie world. Iron and Wine, Great Lake Swimmers, Bon Iver…and now let’s add Horse Feathers to the list. Melancholy Americana at its finest.

Horse Feathers – Curs In The Weeds

37. War On Drugs – Wagonwheel Blues (our review)

One of those albums that grows on you. Three months ago it wasn’t on this list, but it continues to get better. You’ll hear traces of Wilco throughout.

War On Drugs – Taking The Farm

38. Jessica Lea Mayfield – With Blasphemy So Heartfelt (our review)

It’s hard to believe that this Kent, Ohio songstress is only 18 years old. Her debut is soulful and sultry – a cross between Mazzy Star, Loretta Lynn and Neko Case.

Jessica Lea Mayfield – Kiss Me Again

39. Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead (our review)

The Helio Sequence takes you on a meandering daydream of folk-inspired pop tunes. The perfect background music for a quiet Saturday morning, or a windows-down drive through the city on a sunny day.

The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead

40. Glossary – The Better Angels of Our Nature (our review)

This alt-country outfit out of Tennessee have put out five great albums and continue to fly under the radar. The Better Angels of Our Nature is still available for free on their website. You should download it if you haven’t already.

Glossary – Little Caney

Sounding like the spawn of Iron & Wine and Great Lake Swimmers, there was little chance I would not become enamored with the three-piece outfit out of Portland that calls themselves Horse Feathers. I just killed two Chicago style hot dogs and they’re sitting in my belly like a cannonball, so I am now going to use that as inspiration in describing the sound of Horse Feathers.

Justin Ringle is the encased meat. He writes the tunes, sings lead and plays guitar. Without him, no Horse Feathers. Without encased meat, no hot dog. But I don’t like my hot dogs plain. I like them with everything, so allow me introduce you to “The Works.” He goes by the name of Peter Broderick and mixes in a variety of stringed instrumentation to give each of Ringle’s compositions texture and a distinctive feel. Broderick’s sister, Heather, chips in on the cello. We’ll call her onion rings since I just killed an order of those as well.

House With No Home has a melancholy, Americana feel that’s perfect for the the chilly fall nights that show us that Winter’s on the way. Ringle tends to mumble his way through a few tunes but on “Helen,” he gives a little extra oomph during the chorus and it turns out to be one of the highlights on the album. “Working Poor” is another winner as is the track below, “Curs In The Weeds.”

I hadn’t heard of these guys until I ordered my Blitzen Trapper tickets (November 9th at Schubas). A quick listen and they soon found there way on to my iPod. If you are catching Blitzen Trapper on the upcoming tour, get there early to catch this excellent supporting act.

MySpace | Kill Rock Stars

Horse Feathers – Curs In The Weeds

Great Lake Swimmers – Your Rocky Spine

Great Lake Swimmers – I Am Part of a Large Family