Alannah Myles - Rockinghorse

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Music reviews of Rockinghorse

Music Review: This is an album instead of a kiss--from Alannah
Rating: 5 Stars

"Our World Our Times" is a grim night in the city track, somewhat reminding me of the Cult's "Witch" in theme. Alannah recites the first couple of songs in a monologue before the familiar bluesy-hard rock guitar riffs that characterized her debut album kicks in with intensity matching the harshness of the urban life. One line seems in tune with the current climate: "These times are like dynamite a head-on with history/Some fool's bound to burn it all down don't care about you and me."

"Make Me Happy" has a tempo akin to Def Leppard's "Woman", a Leppardish sound, and with some funky overtones. Love that bass in the song's intro.

"Sonny Say You Will," a plea for an unforgettable moment that will last forever, is one of the two killer ballads here, opening with a sun-coming up synthesizer. It blares into power ballad mode in the verse before the chorus, where it quiets down. One of my favourite songs.

"Tumbleweed" is back to that chugging blues-rock that's in the same manner as "Still Got This Thing For You" from her previous album. It's about a man gambling on dice who could be either a tumbleweed or a rolling stone. With Alannah singing "Looks like I'll be driving home tonight", guess what happens to him?

The blues guitar on the lazy "Livin' On A Memory" sets the tone and is another urban night life song on crime: "Hiding from the light/Running from my destiny/Haunted by a flame/Lying low livin' on a memory."

My favourite song here begins with some forlorn and tragic strings, which is later accompanied by acoustic guitar. "Song Instead Of A Kiss" is "to all of you who wait so long and need so much." That this didn't become a single is sheer criminality, as there's a universal appeal in this song. This is even better than "Black Velvet."

The mid-paced "Love In The Big Town" is yet another night life song, but in a smaller setting. The alienation, glitter, false smiles and people wanting money are still there. It's like a slowed down version of "Kick Start My Heart."

The flight of a troubadour who was looking for some piece of mind, wanting to fly instead of holding on to shaky ground is the story behind "The Last Time I Saw William." Clearly he was burned out from "hurtin' songs", what with that "long line of loneliness in the corner of his eye."

"Lies and Rumours" sounds like Bon Jovi, or a variation of "Love Is" and "Kick Start." The intense skiffle-blues of the title track closes the album.

Most of the songs were written by Christopher Ward and David Tyson, and the selection was well-chosen. Why this album hit the bargain bin after a year I don't know, as it deserved way better.

Description of Rockinghorse

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• Music > Styles
• Rock