Horsehair Everywhere is the collaborative octet of artists such as Frank Baugh, Patrick Singleton, Steve Molyneux, Geoffrey Sexton, Caleb and Samuel Steelman, TJ Richards, and Lee Noble. Now, after reading such a lineup (which actually consists of 11 members here), I was already given the preconceived notion that this reissue of Horsehair Everywhere's 2007 debut Vol. 1 was going to be an ambitious 68 minutes. Surely enough, it was!
Vol. 1 could be placed alongside many free-jazz/psych heavyweights like No-Neck Blues Band or Vibracathedral Orchestra, but Horsehair Everywhere grasp a unique vibe in this case: the foreboding nature that lingers throughout one of these albums is absent here, and the lack of structure is also avoided. Mind you, Vol. 1 is comprised of improvised pieces, but the musicians work so well in this presence that a discernible rhythm and pace always come of improvisation. If comparisons were to be made, this album could be seen as a crossbreed of the dissonant punk heard from Harry Pussy with the mystical jazz of Jooklo Duo.
The 11 tracks here don't necessarily stray from accessibility; "5.6.05.3" begins sporadic and scattered, then builds into a dysfunctional folk ballad, while its successor "12.30.05.2" delves into the meandering tribal territory reminiscent of Animal Collective's early work circa Danse Manatee. Similar to what M@ mentioned in his review of Messages's After Before, it's imperative that when given the amount of openness that comes with making experimental music that the music must have some exploration included. Horsehair Everywhere certainly accomplish that, altering styles and ideas from piece to piece, while still attaining a sense of familiarity throughout.
Horsehair Everywhere's Vol. 1 is a perfect choice for a reissue; it's expansive, colorful, and sometimes sparse. This hidden gem's reintroduction on limited cassette and digital formats open it to a somewhat wider audience-- or at least wider than the few who were able to get their hands on the original CDR-- and also makes me eager to hear their forthcoming vinyl release, The Beginning of a Protracted Struggle. Although regardless of whether or not you found Vol. 1 to fit your tastes, it's undoubtedly certain that music of this caliber is remarkable to say the least.
[Horsehair Everywhere Myspace]
[Buy Vol. 1 from No Kings Record Cadre]
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