Coming to Secret South directly from Low Estate's intensity, it may seem that Sixteen Horsepower have taken some sandpaper to their sound, smoothing off some of the edges and polishing up the result.
Such an observation wouldn't be entirely misplaced. The band's new material isn't quite as extreme in its heady brew of Appalachian, eastern European and gothic sounds as that to be found on their last outing. But it doesn't depart too far from the niche they've already carved for themselves.
David Eugene Edwards's writing seems to be becoming more autobiographical, and more explicit in its statements of faith. Despite being a cover, "Wayfaring Stranger" is one of a number of tracks which give clearer clues to how Edwards perceives the journey he's on, with it's description of what lies across the Jordan: "Beautiful fields lye just before me/Where God's redeemed their vigils keep." On this album we get a fuller picture of Edwards's faith as his knowledge of his redemption moves up next to the fear of judgment.
Despite those subtle changes, the tone of this album flies in the face of most of what is labeled "Christian music." Perhaps partly for that reason, that label is certainly not espoused by Sixteen Horsepower. Yet it is not just the strong southern influences such as O'Connor which Edwards's writing draws the mind to, but also such "religious" authors as John Bunyan. In Pilgrim's Progress the toils and troubles simply make the joyful times more substantial, and so it is here.
This album marks a new chapter for Sixteen Horsepower, and a more commercially successful one if their current popularity in Holland and France continues, and it also shows them fitting the pieces of their creations more easily together. While there was much to enjoy in the rough fits on Low Estate, this new balance has its own appeal and continues to allow Edwards a setting in which to work out his faith, however much fear and trembling it may involve.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinTheir third full-length album, Secret South reveals a kinder, gentler 16 Horsepower. With less fire and brimstone and more gentle persuasion, the majority of these songs warm like a Holy Spirit whisper, rather than cause you to sit bolt-straight upright from a bold prophets canyon-filling screams. Although a dash less dangerous, these eleven songs are no less interesting than the body of their…Similar sounding releases
1997Robert DeebleDays Like These
2000Joseph ArthurCome to Where I'm From
2003Doug BurrThe Sickle & the Sheaves
1998R.E.M.Up
2001My Morning JacketAt Dawn
2001The FramesFor the Birds
