Album Reviews

Clear Crystal Air
Horses – Clear Crystal Air
8.0
 on
Friday, November 15, 2013 - 18:05
submitted by
Thomas

Horses is a new Belgian band around the 21-year-old Bert Vliegen. That’s right… this is a new band, he is 21 years old and “Clear Crystal Air” is their debut. I had the hardest time believing it myself while listening to these ten songs that are as delicate as they are powerful.

 

Inspired by the likes of Sparklehorse and My Morning Jacket at their most mellow, Vliegen wrote a batch of songs that come with carefully picked guitars, tender vocals, beautiful harmonies and tons of melancholy.  It’s how come having Sophia’s Robin Proper-Sheppard as a producer, makes perfect sense. Along with his help, Horses turned what started out as a bedroom project five years ago into a stunning album.

When Vliegen is not going at it like Bright Eyes in “White Lake” or closer “Twins”, he’s churning out pop gems like “Why You’re Here (And I’m Not)” or the carefully rocking “Saint John”. Pretty much the only negative thing I can say about “Clear Crystal Air” is that the keyboards in “Vaggvista” sound a bit out place.

Considering this is only their debut, I’m thinking that Horses has a very bright future to look forward to.

Tom Dumarey
Tom Dumarey

Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.