16 HP

If you've never heard of Sixteen Horsepower, then you'll want to hear them for yourself because they are nearly impossible to describe. The best I can do is an alternative-rock band (there's no doubt about that) that has infused brooding, dark Appalachian folk/bluegrass/zydeco style with passionate, foreboding psychedelic-evangelistic lyrics that might even appease doom metal and goth rockers. Are you clear as muddy water now? 

That description still isn't accurate because I never would have guessed that I'd like them and I do. David Edwards is the composer, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist, who plays a variety of antique instruments such as concertina, bandoneon, hurdy gurdy, in addition to other members playing more standard instruments like the accordion, banjo, acoustic and electric guitars, cello, and drums. The musicianship between them is tight and multi-layered, without sacrificing their primitive americana folk sound. Sixteen Horsepower makes even a banjo rock.

But the unexpected lyrics are what push Sixteen Horsepower beyond the edge. Edwards draws heavily from his upbringing as the son of a traveling preacher. But this is not Christian Rock. He twists common themes of evangelical torments; evil, death, temptation, faith with expressions that don't have clear intentions. The simple phrase,"Oh my God" can transform into a despairing hallucinogenic landscape used as an urgent appeal. The music shifts between eerie and compelling, and usually is both. 

No one would call Sixteen Horses music mediocre. The band originated in Denver, Colorado in the mid-90's and toured with Nick Cave and Morphine as opening acts. They broke up in 2005 and many of their albums (5) are now falling out-of-print. Edwards has continued on by forming the band Woven Hand.

16 Horsepower: Sackcloth and Ashes (1996)

I Seen What I Saw

Black Soul Choir

Scrawled in Sap

Horse Head

Ruthie Lingie

Harm's Way

Black Bush

Heel on the Shovel

American Wheeze

Red Neck Reel

Prison Shoe Ramp

Neck on the New Blade

Strong Man

16 Horsepower: Secret South (2000)

Clogger

Wayfaring Stranger

Cinder Alley

Burning Bush

Poor Mouth

Silver Saddle

Praying Arm Lane

Splinters

Just Like Birds

Nobody 'Cept You

Strawfoot

Haw

Clogger