♪ ♫ A Thousand Horses ♫ ♪ Southernality ♫
#giddyup #loveahorse
I heard these guys for the first time last year and was intrigued and immediately set my sights on them. We've featured them as our Artist of the day a few times. I finally had the pleasure of seeing them in person at the Grizzly Rose in December when they opened for Frankie Ballard. Prior to the show, I was talking to some of the people up in the front with me, they were there for a Thousand Horses specifically. They raved and raved, I must say, that really had me excited to see if this band could live up to the "billing". You know how it is when you hear great things over and over about a movie, go see and leave disappointed? I wondered if that was what was going to happen. Happily NO! I left in awe of this band. They made my top of 2014 list. They quickly jumped to the top, the very top of my "to watch and help promote" list! This band was spot on. Tight. Didn't miss a beat. Had the crowd into every song even though most had never heard any of the songs. That is rare to see. The grittiness of the vocals - the harmony of the background vocals is just the beginning of the awesomeness. When the night burned out and I went home, I was in awe of the new band I'd just seen, "discovered". I've now had the pleasure of seeing them 3 more times. 2 acoustic short sets, I’ve seen tons of those, they are one of my favorites, but I have to admit, I’ve never seen one like theirs. Michael’s exuberance flows off the stage, it looks like it’s hard for him to “sit still”. His intensity makes you feel the words, you feel the music in your soul. They killed it opening for Darius Rucker, only complaint I have is way too short! I have yet to have a sliver of disappointment in them. I was super stoked for their album to drop. And dayum!!!!! Best album I've heard in a long time. Yea I have my favorites and y'all often hear me say things like that, but this is genuinely the best album from cover to cover I've heard in years!!!! There is something for everyone on it, but they stay true to who they are. I'm so excited to watch these guys [and girls] catapult to the top!! Heres a quick review of their CD, but honestly if I were you I'd quit reading now and just go get the music and you'll see for yourself!!!
The band is: Michael Hobbs – Lead vocals | Electric Guitar Bill Satcher – Zach Brown & Dave Cobb | Steel Guitar – Robby Turner | Drums – Chris Powell | Background Vocals – Kristen Rogers, Whitney Coleman & Zach Brown
Here’s a few thoughts on some of the songs:
“Smoke” of course y'all should be familiar with, it was their first single released to radio and their first #1!! First of many!! I must say, it is a “classic” song. It’s one that I’ll hear 10 years from now and be psyched that it’s playing. I do believe it’s #timeless!
“Travlin' Man” - Has much more of a classic Southern Rock feel to it, reminiscent of Lynard Skynard but yet very unique. Very hard hitting musically. The drummer boy, Chris Powell, takes the lead on this one in my non trained music mind.
“Tennessee Whiskey” is soulful – is the type of song I think of when I think of country music. It’s a song that makes you yearn for home, makes you want what you lost. It makes you feel, that is always a sign of a good tune.
“Sunday Morning,” made me go look to see if I was born on a Sunday morning so I could claim the song. Sadly I can't. However I can claim it's a helluva good tune! Hits ya in the heart! Was one of my favorites from the first night I saw them, I tried to come home and download but it wasn’t available yet. #anticipation
“Southernality” - Dimensions galore with this one! Harder hitting makes you want to fist pump and move with the groove. Self-reflective song in a weird way, makes you relook at some of the stereotypes associated with the south. As well as looking at what might be important in life.
Their new single “Drunk Dial” was one of my favorites the first time I heard it, it was one of the songs that flagged a Thousand Horses for me as one of the bands to watch in 2015! From the reception they're getting everywhere, guess I was right on this one.
“Back To Me” - Poignant tune about the power of love, the power of missing of someone. The subtleness of the music builds the intensity of the song as Michaels voice yearns for the lost love to come back. You keep waiting for it [the music] to explode and it doesn't, the song relies on Michael to take you deep into the feel of it.
“Trailer Trashed” is the fun party, song. To me the strength in this song it the music more so than the lyrics. But its’ a fun song for sure. It’s a radio fun anthem tune that will get the crowds pumped up for years to come.
“Hell On My Heart” is a repeat song for me. When it's over I have the urge to hit replay. It's a broken heart song, but man, it gives me goosebumps with the lyrics, "I'd sell my soul ...." This song to me is everything this band is about. Great musicians rocking out while 3 fabulous ladies harmonize with Michael, I love his grittiness. It reaches inside you, makes you feel the words, feel the pain, feel the fact it's Hell on the Heart! #nextsingle I hope!!!
If there is a "commercial" song on the album “Where I Go,” would be it. For an album to be successful it has to draw songs from different places within the album. It's a fantastic tune, but it does have radio written on it. Sing along, bop along in the car with feet up on the dash song.
Most of the songs were co-written by Michael and Bill. Another notch of excellence on the album. The musicianship is unmatched and makes me very excited for a long career by these guys. The CD is absolutely fantastic! You feel Michael coming at you through the speakers/earbuds - it has a bluesie feel but yet it doesn't, classic country rock but yet it isn't, that's the magic of this group, their tunes are full of twists and turns and just outright awesomeness!
Check out their website: http://www.athousandhorses.com/
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/athousandhorses @athousandhorses
Give em' a like on Facebook" https://www.facebook.com/athousandhorsesmusic?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Grab Some Tunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/southernality/id956896019
or: http://www.amazon.com/Southernality-A-Thousand-Horses/dp/B00S22I09G
Nickie Techmanski - @Acologal