reviewed by Q magazine (UK) Appearing as monochrome hillbillies on the sleeve, this Denver trio modelessly combine backwoods banjo and squeezebox with space cowboy moaning guitars and the wailing vocals of an early-'80s Mancunian indie. The last two elements come from David Eugene Edwards, lyrical fount of 16 Horsepower's preoccupation with God, evil, sex and death. The faith he portrays is unorthodox. Angels lynch a sinner in Strong Man. Lying with a married woman in Scrawled In Sap he piously trusts You'll feel how He heals with His blood on our skin. In this inner world the Devil's work and the Lord's seem barely distinguishable. Although it's unsettling, 16 Horsepower are only a few shades of lightening up away from the shiny idiosyncrasy that eventually drew intercontinental masses to R.E.M. Rating : 4 (out of 5)
By Phil Sutcliffe
When Denver's 16 Horsepower decided to repair to the country to record their second album, their choice of a plantation house in Louisiana was hardly surprising. The group's debut, Sackcloth & Ashes, boasted enough gothic splendour and backwoods insurgency as the law allowed. Developing their love of haunting melodrama, skiffle-paced rockabilly and bereft country balladeering, Low Estate adds further layers atop their strident lead banjo, such as strings, keyboards and at times a rambunctious guitar, to enhance the proceedings. It's a challenging mixture that'll impress fans of their acknowledged influences, The Gun Club and Nick Cave. Furthermore, anyone in search of carny show polka music, the lost soundtracks of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and eerie tunes that are almost bound to turn up in a future Tarantino film - if David Lynch doesn't get there first - should also tune in. Rating : 3 (out of 5)
By Dave Henderson
   
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