Metalhorse is a concept album that uses visions of a dilapidated funfair as a metaphor for life’s various ups and downs. It especially seems to concentrate on the downs though, especially when it employs opening lines like “My best friend’s dying” on “Nothin Worth Winnin”.
Metalhorse is also Billy Nomates’ third album but the first to be recorded with a full band. More surprisingly, it also sees Sleaford Mods’ former collaborator, Tor Maries veer away from her previous DIY fare and towards less spikey, more middle of the road, yacht rock sounds. This largely involves replacing melodic heft with storytelling and even employing elements of musical theatre on “Comedic Timing” and the opening, title track.
Sometimes this works, like on the slightly menacing collaboration with ex-Strangler Hugh Cornwell, “Dark Horse Friend” and the acoustic guitar driven country pop of “Strange Gift”. Elsewhere though, songs like “Gas” are somewhat unmemorable, overly considered or even just limp – and this is especially the case on the overly maudlin “Life’s Unfair” or “Plans” with its refrain of “They’ve got plans for us / I bet they’re really bad / I bet they’re just awful”. So, hardly the basis for sloganeering against the powerful and unpleasant forces that are trying their best to shape the world around us.
Stevie Nicks also seems to be a somewhat unexpected influence on Metalhorse, being especially evident on “Override”. Final tune, “Moon Explodes”, meanwhile, ends the album with a bit more lift and embraces Fleetwood Mac vibes from deep in their 1980s pomp. But this is a rare lively and upbeat moment in a generally morbid and hardly chirpy album.
Maries has apparently been dealing with some severe health problems just recently and this has clearly knocked her for six. It is, therefore, perfectly understandable that Metalhorse is hardly a shining beacon to the joys of life. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stand out as much else either.
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