Very shortly after his Woven Hand outing, David Eugene Edwards has returned at the front with a Sixteen Horsepower album. This time not an album that sounds as if the devil is close upon his heels. Not a lot of God too - although always present under the surface naturally.

This remarkably soberly arranged collection of ten songs is - apart from four new Edwards/Horsepower originals and Hank Williams (Alone and Forsaken) and Carter Family (Single Girl) covers - carried by four folk-traditionals. The album title has not been picked for nothing. Not only from the American songbook, but also translated from Hungarian and a song from Central Asian Tuva on which occasion the characteristic 'drone' of the throatsingers has been taken over by the cello. By the way that last selection is not such an odd choice when you know that horses play a central role in the lives of the nomadic population of the traditional inhospitable Tuva.

Upon first listening to it perhaps a less spectacular Horsepower-album, but when you hear more of it deep and rich.

3 A's (out of 5)

16HP's most intense album as yet. These unfathomed deep gospel songs full of fire and passion show this unique band to its full advantage. Songs by The Carter family and Hank Williams, but also a traditional folk song from Hungary, a song from Tuva and a French-speaking mazurka. This album is as impressive as Edwards himself, compelling, hypnotic and absolutely authentic and original.