How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Loving crafted, genre transcending gem of an album
Disadvantages:
Don't be put off by it being "country" .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Piney Gir is a London-based musician originally from Kansas. She had/has many musical projects, including an all-girl band called The Schla La Las (http://www.myspace.com/theschlalalas), now sadly "dead". Her debut album Peakahokahoo was electronic in sound, and experiments with country versions of songs of that album gave us The Piney Gir Country Roadshow and this album, Hold Yer Horses.
I have to tell you, it certainly surprised me at that I loved this album. I'm not a fan of country at all. Say "country music" to me and I think of Billy Ray Cyrus and Kenny Rogers and run a mile. Maybe game for a Dolly Parton sing-along when I'm verrrrry drunk.... but you get the idea. I like mostly like metal and dark electronic music.
Yet this album makes me want to put on a flouncy gingham dress and a glittery cowboy hat and get drunk enough to dance and sing along. It's so lovingly made, so contagious, and so damned catchy, that I defy anyone not to like it. (See picture). If you're not a country fan, I still recommend this album. Get drunk and turn it up really LOUD.
If you don't believe me, Hold Yer Horses was selected as one of his top five albums of 2006 by Phil Jupitus. And he should know.
This album is available for £7.99 off the iTunes and can be found on amazon or any other good online retailer for various prices.
Tunes
1. Greetings, Salutations, Goodbye
This is my second favourite Piney tune. (My favourite is I'm a Train, which can be found on her myspace). It's a deceptively jaunty little number which will have even hardened goth toes tapping. As far as opening tracks on albums go, this one is a blinder.
2. Tell it to the Dog
"He won't ask questions about where you were... coz he don't wanna know." Another toe-tapper. Actually if you're drunk enough you might be dancing by halfway through this tune.
3. I Don't Know Why I Feel Like Crying But I Do
This one is more laid back, more of a swaying than a dancing song. It's reflective and gentle.
4. Que Sera Sera
Don't be deceived by this intro to the next song...
5. Girl
Picking up on the themes of the song used for the intro, "When I grow up I want to be anyone but me..." A gentle song but with a blistering chorus, it'll have you tapping your feet and swaying. Careful now, if you're taking my advice and attempting to get drunk and dance/sing along.
6. Find the Time
Not perhaps as instantly memorable as some of the tunes on this album like the blinding opener, this is nonetheless a another smashingly catchy song that will keep you listening and then you hit the catchy bit and all is fabulous. "Keep searching find the time".
7. Boston
"Don't want to listen to your cock and bull story." Do listen to this song though. More than halfway through the album and the standard hasn't dropped a notch.
8. Little Doggie
"Darlin' is this our redemption? Or could it be judgement day?" Another one to sway drunkenly to, with your tail waggin' slow.
9. Big Apple Stomp
Can't tell you anything coherent about this song. Why not? 'Coz I'm dancing round the room looking uncannily like a dyspraxic drunken goth trying to dance to a very up-tempo country tune. The words "epic fail" spring to mind about the dancing, the song is the opposite.
10. Nightsong
Now here's a question. Can country music be sexy? Dismiss all thought of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and Billy Ray Cyrus's mullet from your mind, listen to this song, and learn that the answer is "yes". Although as my mum (who also owns this album!) said, "I'll skip past that one if I play this to your granny."
11. Trouble
"What's a girl to do with a guy like you?... you're trouble but I love you even so." Classic country themes, I suspect I would say if I knew anything about country music. "I'll file you in a box marked faulty waste of time and space."
12. Great Divide
Swaying carefully now as we get towards the end of the album, the penultimate song is another fine tune. "You know that I know. I know that you do. You know that I know. Here's looking at you!"
13. Be Careful
Finishing the album with a fabulous campfire sing along tune? What a marvelous idea. Just the thing. It even has a whistling bit in it... and more cowbell, which is as we know what every song needs. A superb ending to a superb album.
Summary
Right, now I've stopped singing along: this album has everything you need in a country album. It has twangy bits, gee-tar, accordions, themes of love, life and heartbreak, foot stomping bits, bits you can twirl your lady round to, bits that make you reflective over your drink and even if you can't dance it invites some kind of rhythmic, physical response. Even from surly goths in ridiculously heavy boots.
It really is, despite its immaculate country credentials, one of those finely crafted albums that transcends its genre. When I decided to start reviewing the few albums I actually own this was an instant first choice because I would recommend this to EVERYONE and it's always great to be able to write a wholly positive review.
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