Slow Horses - Familiar Roads

Self released




This is the fifth album from the five-piece German country band and though of a high quality, doesn’t quite match the vitality and freshness of their eponymous 2009 release. Having said that, this one's a good introduction if you’ve not caught up with Slow Horses before, and another strong one even if you have. Drawing on several influences, they incorporate everything from classic country (a fine revival of Pick Me Up On Your Way Down) to modern pop-country (Round And Round). The group combines good, solid rhythm and the incredible range of vocalist Gaby Lina Schmidt, who also shares the writing honours with Chris Schulz on album opener, Mrs Jealous and the excellent title song. The latter has a contemporary sound played with grace, daring and sheer joy for times long past and gone, but not forgotten.

Gaby is at her sultriest on You’re The Kind Of Trouble, bitter-sweetly melancholy with Now That It’s Over and gutsy on Buddy Miller’s Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go. Chris Schulz takes the lead on Walt Wilkins’ Trains I Missed, his raspy vocal supported by the inventive pedal steel of Lutz Lageman. The production rocks righteously, and his vocal has just the right touch of ‘outlaw’ swagger. Though there are more outside songs this time, the Slow Horses songwriting, the music and the lyrics, hold up with the best of the genre and even seems to explore new musical territory. Maybe, with a few more of their own distinctive songs, this album would have matched their earlier efforts. Despite that slight criticism, FAMILIAR ROADS is still a cut above most European country albums.

www.slowhorses.com