A little over a year ago, I saw Brown Horse play Leith Depot, just down the road. They were on fire that night, even as the six of them were packed onto a tiny stage. Now they’re in the heart of town at a slightly bigger venue, which is sold out and having released their excellent second album All The Right Weaknesses which has been deservedly picking up excellent reviews. No pressure, then, guys and girls.
First up are Edinburgh act Dear Heather. The four piece have been described as “the illegitimate lovechild of the Beach Boys and the Pixies’’, which I think is actually pretty accurate and I wish I’d thought of it myself. Ah well, at least I’m acknowledging that. While their sartorial style is a little confusing – I hope the moustache and dungarees combo sported by the drummer is meant to be ironic – there’s a whole lot of potential with these four. The music does indeed combine excellent harmonies with some guitar work that is clearly indebted to Boston’s finest. Closing track ‘Fear‘ is the standout track; I shall keep an eye and ear out for their progress with interest.
Given how well received last year’s Edinburgh gig was, Brown Horse’s lead singer Nyle Holihan tells us that when the dates for this tour were announced there was no Edinburgh gig originally on the list. They made it happen, and drove up from Norwich this very day and show that they are continuing to evolve their fine 90’s alternative sound with its incorporation of ’70’s Americana. Opening with ‘Verna Bloom,’ as the album does, it becomes clear very quickly that not only is …Weaknesses a big leap from their still-fine debut Reservoir, but they’ve grown ever-stronger as a live act. Sure, it’s so rammed that it’s very hard to see much of the band (especially for those of us of a certain, ahem age, who rush to gigs so they can find somewhere to sit rather than having to stand for a couple of hours). Yet in many ways it’s a good thing. Word is spreading about this fine band.
Last time I noted that then-new songs like the aforementioned ‘Wisteria‘ along with ‘Dog Rose‘ and ‘Holy Smokes‘ were amongst the highlights of the set; this time we get another excellent newbie, ‘Come Back,’ which leads me to hope we might not have to wait too long for another Scottish gig and a new album. For now, though, we have two excellent albums to play over and over again, and a band who are going from strength to strength.
So what next for Brown Horse? Well, I don’t want to wait too long, but their trajectory can only be up, and I suggest you go and see them while you can still see them up this close. A pretty fine evening, all told.
