Bringing Down the Horse

The Wallflowers

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 1996)
• Original Release Date: May 21, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B000001Y1N
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (138 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,946 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When people talk about Jakob Dylan these days, they're less likely to refer to his famous father than to his band, the Wallflowers, and their breakthrough album, Bringing Down the Horse. Not only a staggering commercial success, the disc is also a superb example of the folk-rock Jakob's daddy helped pioneer more than 30 years ago. The Wallflowers don't need family relations to command respect.

When the Wallflowers recorded their self-titled album in 1992, most of the band's members were 22 and weren't ready for prime time yet. The songs had flashes of inspiration and promise but didn't really hang together. It took four years for the Wallflowers to release a second album, but this time they were ready. The folk-rock melodies were strong; the playing was clear and muscular, and the production by T-Bone Burnett (friend of the family) framed the lyrics' storytelling imaginatively. Jakob will never escape comparisons to his dad, but his new music can stand on its own as some of the decade's best.

In fact, Jakob's voice doesn't resemble his father's so much as Tom Petty's nasal drawl, and the way Wallflower Rami Jaffee soaks nearly every song in Benmont Tench-like B-3 organ makes the Heartbreaker connection unmistakable. Fortunately, Jakob's evocative songwriting and the Wallflowers' high-energy playing reminds one of the early Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers records rather than the desultory, later work. Heartbreaker Mike Campbell even plays on "6th Avenue Heartache," the first single and a gloriously harmonized lament for the victims of America's meanest streets. "The same white line that was drawn on you," Jakob sings, "was drawn on me." He takes a more defiant, more rocking approach later in the album when he proclaims he's "Laughing Out Loud" in the face of everyone who ever tried to push him around. --Geoffrey Himes

Product Description

When people talk about Jakob Dylan these days, they're less likely to refer to his famous father than to his band, the Wallflowers, and their breakthrough album, Bringing Down the Horse. Not only a staggering commercial success, the disc is also a superb example of the folk-rock Jakob's daddy helped pioneer more than 30 years ago. The Wallflowers don't need family relations to command respect.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST RECORDINGS OF THE 90'S, November 22, 2000

By	"craig_paul" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

Jakob Dylan and his band came back stronger and more committed after their first release and a long time on the road to serve up "Bringing Down The Horse," an outstanding recording that will be considered a classic at some time down the road, if it isn't already.

Anyone who thinks Jakob received this critical acclaim merely because he is the heir apparent to his father's talent, need think again. The younger Dylan and friends were able to turn out a masterful piece of work despite constant scrutiny and incredibly high expectations. Sure, his voice, especially on songs such as "Invisible City," sounds eerily like Bob's, but so what? Springsteen, Petty, and about a thousand other people have imitated the elder Dylan over the years. In Jakob's case, it's not imitation so much as heredity.

This album spawned a number of hits, including "The Difference", "6th Avenue Heartache", "Three Marlenas," and "One Headlight." Unlike many "hit" songs, these four tracks hold their respective edge, and lose none of their power even after being played to death. (For the record, "Headlight" was recently included on a list of the top 100 pop songs of the past 35 or so years, as compiled by Rolling Stone magazine and MTV, placing the Wallflowers in the company of the Beatles, the Stones, Petty, Springsteen, and Old Man Dylan. Take this with a grain of salt, though - there are also a lot of duds on that list.) No matter - "One Headlight" is musically tight and lyrically flawless, obviously deserving of mention on any list of great Rock songs.

Three Marlenas" is a wonderful ballad. "Heartache" is about as good a Rock and Roll song as has been released in the past decade, and "The Difference", with its big sound, strong backbeat, and the great line "Sometimes old men die with little boys' faces," is superb.

But wait - that's only the beginning. There are seven other tracks on this album, and all are excellent. It's a safe bet that you'll not once skip a song while listening to this disc. You're more likely to repeat one three or four times before moving on. "Josephine", "Laughing Out Loud", "God Don't Make Lonely Girls" and, my personal favorite, "Invisible City", all rival the four songs mentioned above.

Dylan's vocals are solid on the upbeat numbers, and especially moving on ballads ("Marlenas" and "City" are good examples). The backing band is strong, the production superior.

This is not a one - shot deal by the genetically gifted son of a Rock legend. It is a mature, elaborately crafted recording by a band that has been out there, paid its dues and is reaping its well - deserved praise.

For anyone who has lived in a vacuum for the past four years and hasn't heard this recording, go ahead and take advantage of the wonders of modern technology. Click on any song and listen to a 30 - second sample. That will be enough to hook you. I guarantee it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid, straight ahead rock, December 28, 2000

By	J. Carroll "Jack" (Island Heights,NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Melodic and thoughtful songs make up the majority of this CD. The hits are not the only things worth listening to, it is just good rock and roll without any of the dramatics heard so often from other bands.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential album for any collection, January 5, 2002

By	"wallflower44" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This album takes the cake for the best album in my collection. Each track has a unique sound and mindset that could make each and every one be a hit single, but they still come together extremely well for the overall dark, rich mood of the album. Songs such as "One Headlight," "Sixth Avenue Heartache," "Three Marlenas," and "The Difference" are, as they have well proven themselves to be, very radio friendly. These, along with lesser known "God Don't Make Lonely Girls," "Bleeders," and "Laughing Out Loud" have a relatively uplifting beat though they are definately not dance grooves. My favorite song is "Invisible City." All of Jakob's lyrics are deep, philosophical, and wonderful, but this song is the epitome of great lyrics. "In this invisible city/ where no one sees nothing/ we're touching faces in the dark/ feeling pretty is so hard." It's soft, dark, and slow with beautiful vocals and, as I've mentioned before, only the best of lyrics. "Josephine" is the main love song on the album with striking vocals by Jakob that are very exposed. It is a truly gorgeous song, well written and well sung. The album closes with "I Wish I Felt Nothing," which is another one with great lyrics (aren't they all though?). The placement of this song as last is perfect for the album, closing with a song that sums up the total dark feel of the album. Some may say the album is depressing but I say it is real and insightful, an album you can listen to straight from beginning to end over and over and over again. A must have!