Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review


mewithoutYou, Pale Horses
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

mewithoutYou
Pale Horses

Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Indie
Album length: 11 tracks: 39 minutes, 20 seconds
Street Date: June 16, 2015


READER RATING:   


I admit that, going into this album, I was not a big fan of mewithoutYou's unique music style. Some of the spoken/sung vocals and extremely complex lyrics seemed strange and slightly off-putting at first. But earlier this year, I decided to give their album Brother, Sister a listen, and their signature sound slowly grew on me. So I went into Pale Horses with a better understanding and appreciation of the band's artistic and poetic approach. All that said, Pale Horses is very impressive, though maybe not for everyone.

After the slightly uninteresting intro/title track, the album sets the tone with "Watermelon Ascot," a somewhat aggressive and almost hard rock number that serves as an in-your-face, thoughtful opener, and my personal favorite on Pale Horses. The album then transitions to the more somber and reserved "D Minor," with poignant lyrics dealing with failed relationships: "From the frying pan of a celibate man, to the fires of the premature/Who could ask for nothing more?" "Mexican War Streets" is another highlight that starts off slow with clean guitar and soothing vocals, but builds into more intensity toward the end as the lyrics get more spiritual: "I'd like to meet Whoever said the words we print in red". Following that is "Red Cow," a musical roller coaster that expertly transitions from softer guitars, vocals, and driving drums in the verses to distorted riffs and loud yelling vocals in the "choruses" that feel like it imitates the ups and downs of life. The midpoint of the album then brings us to the intermission track, "Dorothy," which is lyrically strange and awkward.

The second half of the album begins with "Blue Hen," an excellent, groovy, and melodic indie rock song that speaks about victory over death: "Death where is thy sting? You ought to put more thought into what you bravely sing/Aft-mast ships of straw-short bricks/You'll soon see exactly where my victory is." "Lilac Queen" is a solid song, but probably one of the weakest on the album due to its somewhat incoherent musical styles and overly cryptic lyrics. The acoustic guitar driven "Magic Lantern Days" is a nice change of pace, if not a bit repetitive vocally. Drawing us closer to the end of the album is "Birnam Wood," a contemplative tune with upbeat drums, a catchy guitar riff, and deep lyrics about questioning God's plan: "Steady is a knife held sure by faith/Are you a God? And shall Your grace grow weary of Your saints?" Bringing the album to a close is "Rainbow Signs," a unique, musically rich, but slightly overlong piece with poetic and apocalyptic lyrics (in English and Aramaic) that possibly reference the end of the world: "The sky, I'd been told, would roll up like a scroll/As the mountains and islands move from their place."

In conclusion, I think this is a fantastic album, but don't expect the most polished Christian album this time around. "D Minor" contains the word "b*stard" in negative context, and "Rainbow Signs" possibly uses a muted "F" word, but it's a bit unclear. Also, a weakness of this album is that it suffers from being too poetic lyrically at times, even to the point of being downright confusing occasionally. But, musically, it is consistently impressive, intricate, and even beautiful. Pale Horses is a wonderful addition to any mewithoutYou fan's library, as well as any fan of thought provoking music if you're willing to take the time to dig into it to find the gems.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 11/10/15, written by Dylan O'Connor for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 11 tracks: 39 minutes, 20 seconds
. Street Date: June 16, 2015
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Pale Horse (2:26)
  2. Watermelon Ascot (3:08)
  3. D-Minor (3:19)
  4. Mexican War Streets (3:34)
  5. Red Cow (3:59)
  6. Dorothy (1:39)
  7. Blue Hen (3:05)
  8. Lilac Queen (3:58)
  9. Magic Lantern Days (3:52)
  10. Birnam Wood (4:17)
  11. Rainbow Signs (6:03)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images