ALBUM REVIEW: Horse Party – ‘Cover Your Eyes’

New York. London. Berlin. Bury St Edmonds. Despite John Peel describing it as “The New Seattle” over a decade ago, this Suffolk market town has yet to establish itself among the pantheon of iconic rock n’ roll locations. With debut album Cover Your Eyes, Horse Party have set out to shatter this perception. It’s a big ask, but on the strength of several of the songs here, it’s one they have the potential to meet.

Opener ‘Back To Mono’ sounds like Stevie Nicks singing with PJ Harvey circa Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea, as singer Ellie Langley’s vocals drip with attitude and menace over Seymour Quigley’s fuzzy, garage rock guitar and Shannon Hope’s punchy ‘Dance to the Music’ esque beat. The trio reveal a blues influence on ‘Scarlet & Blue’, which wouldn’t be out of place on a White Stripes album (had Jack White been born Jacqueline White. And grown up in Suffolk).

Standout track ‘Inbetween’ is reminiscent of The Breeders, and its soaring melody and quiet/loud guitar dynamic showcase the trio’s considerable musical chops. Although not musos in the traditional sense, all three are accomplished players and seem to know instinctively when to allow one another free rein and when to keep things simple. The absence of a bass player is a wise move, which leaves more space in the mix and helps the songs to sound that much more direct.

Given the right exposure, Horse Party have a good chance of finding a mass audience outside of Bury St Edmonds. Indeed, it’s easy to imagine the upbeat Americana of ‘Let the Man Die’ on the soundtrack of a Hollywood teen flick, with guitarist Quigley’s turn on lead vocals and a chorus refrain of “Wake up America” sounding as far away from your typical slice of British indie rock as Suffolk is from Seattle. Although there’s nothing particularly original about the songs on Cover Your Eyes, it’s nevertheless a fine debut LP from a band I’d be keen to see live. As long as I don’t have to go all the way to Bury St Edmonds.

Paul Sng

@sng_paul

Paul Sng

Paul Sng

Editor-at-large, Brighton. Likes: Lee Hazlewood, Lee Hazlewood songs and Lee Hazlewood's moustache Dislikes: Celery, crap nostalgia and people who raise their voice when speaking as if they're asking a question?