Customer Reviews

A Natural Death

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the proud father of new Horse the Band drummer Chris Prophet, I can truthfully say that the fact that my son's in this band has nothing to do with how much I like the album. As I've said to the guys, I had three brand new albums I listened to during the summer of 2007, which were "Year Zero" by Nine Inch Nails, "Snakes and Arrows" by Rush, and "A Natural Death" by Horse the Band. Of the three, I listened to "A Natural Death" more and with more repetition. I have to say this album compares favorably to the other two (which are outstanding, by the way), and also many of the classic albums of my youth.

Later when I got the official release version with lyrics, I was impressed yet again with the philosophical content. While frontman Nathan Winneke has an unabashed in-your-face attitude and gleefully slaughters every sacred cow, there's also a sophistication in his songwriting which survives the salacious and violent themes.

Instrumentally, the band is over-the-top, with speed and a progressive approach to composition that lives up to many of the band's influences. They move effortlessly from hardcore to metal to disco to laid-back jazzy riffs, to atmospheric breaks to mood pieces. A truly post-modern potpourri. They did a lot of sampling of other media, including game-emulation software that allowed them to weave their typical video-game sound even more tightly into the music than their earlier work. Producer Brian Virtue's polish on the album is also welcome.

"A Natural Death" is a classic.

Imagine, if you will, what Dream Theater would be life if they were formed at the turn of the century rather than the late 80s, and influenced by the hardcore scene rather than 80s metal. Now, imagine if the members of this new Dream Theater were all slightly retarded. What would they be like? "Horse the Band" is your answer. "A Natural Death" is maybe not the best Horse the Band album, but its certainly not below the others. I haven't had time to fully devour it yet, but I think it could turn out being my new favorite.

I'm sure fans know what to expect. I won't spend a lot of time talking about the band's trademarks. But I will say a few things have changed. First off, there are no real "videogame" moments like "birdo" or "cutsman". There are certainly some references, but nothing as catchy AND video game related as those two songs. Secondly, there are a few pleseant surprises- soft, goofy songs like "Sex Raptor" are great and yet unlike anything the band has done before. Finally, each musician in the band has vastly improved. This album is worlds tighter than the prior 3.

If you bought the Pizza EP, that's mostly simillar to the type of music you hear on this. I think it's great. Horse fans can rest assure that "A Natural Death" is full of more of what they've come to know and love about the past releases, as well as several new suprises to keep you interested.

Seriously, an amazing album. This is the most unique band out there. At face value, they may seem to be like a joke, but there is so much to Horse. The lyrics are extremely well written and meaningful, the music is intense, creative, and just simply amazing. I highly recommend.

I bought this CD on the 28th. I have not listened to any other CD's other than this CD. The lyrics are so addicting and I love the syth. They really made the syth stick out a lot on this one. All 16 songs are amazing, song after song it just keeps getting better. If you are a HORSE the Band fan, def. get this album. If you are new to HORSE the Band. Pick up this CD and love this band, they are so amazing.

First, be careful about reading the album reviews. there are quite a bit of negative ones already floating around about the album, but as a Horse fan, i am loving it so far. this album doesn't go down the same as the others. there is just something different here, and you will need to listen for yourself to decide. if you listen with preconceived notions of greatness, you are bound for disappointment. if, however, you listen with an open mind, you will be pleasantly and deliciously surprised by some new tricks and expiremental tracks. hyperborea is probably my favourite track so far, next to the startling secret of super sapphire. sex raptor is just groovy and fun. chris prophet, the new drummer, displays lots of talent and speed, and it is very evident, but not distracting. you'll find yourself listening to tracks multiple times just to hear the drumming, or focus on hearing the basslines. they keyboards have been pushed back a bit instead of being in the foreground of most songs, but it is still catchy and cool. lyrically and vocally, it is pretty diverse, and that really works to the advantage of the album, as it helps to keep your interest. buy this, and be prepared to have your brain smashed out by horse the band.

The best thing about Horse The Band is that with every release they get better and different. This new album is no different. Mixing metalcore and elements of progressive is what these guys seem to do best. Catchy riffs, sweet basslines, and the GENIUS lyrics make this latest album great Throw in the synth and you have yet another magical Horse The Band Album.


This album has it all some FIERCE METALCORE in tracks like "Murder", "New York City" , and "Face Of Bear"

All the way to the awesome synth pop "Sex Raptor"

Also there is a wonderful spoken word section "Crickets"(AMAZING! :) )

And even the demonic children's music ode known as "Kangarooster Meadows"

The only real problem I have with this album is some tracks like "The Beach" and "Rotting Horse" are only really there for filler and MIGHT have been better off replaced with some full tracks with vocals and such. But even these tracks fit in well with the album.


If you are a HORSE The Band Fan I say you buy this album RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you aren't a fan, BUT IT ANYWAYS!!!!!!

GIVE THESE DUDES MONEY!

Amazing. This CD is genius and such a great step in the right direction for this band. Every CD is better than the last and this CD exceeded my expectations. Buy this CD. ' I Think We Are Both Suffering From The Same Crushing Metaphysical Crisis' should go down in rock/metal history. I honestly don't think I have one bad thing to say about this CD. You will instantly want to see them live after one listen.

I think this is a band with so much potential, but with every album, I feel it is being squandered. They definitely seem like more of a live band and cannot translate the experience to the CDs. That said, I had high hopes going into this album. From the very first track I was thinking "Ok, maybe they've done it this time." But, alas, I was disappointed yet again. Somewhere just after Sex Raptor it looses almost all of its steam. The music becomes sub-par and the singer reverts to his irritating spoken-word style where it just seems like he is throwing sentences out and not even paying attention to how they fit into the song. Again, this may work live, but through a speaker it just sounds cheesy. Overall, I would still say this is their best album, but I yearn for a day when they can craft a real opus. Skip it unless you're a big fan.

Not really a big fan of the album, all of the others I could easily pick up and listen to countless times and this one I listened to maybe twice and grew tired of it. Sex raptor is the only song I really liked on the album, I have no idea what happened on this one.

Ive owned this cd for a bout 4 months now and have given it plenty of listens in that time and i still have difficulty forming an all encompassing opinion of it. It definately has its highs and lows, most of the high points are scattered on the first few tracks (hyperborea, murder, new york city) But then there are some tracks that are just a waste of cd space, consisting of nothing but unentertaining noise. Overall i like the direction Horse is moving but i think they could have put more effort into making this album more coherent and, well...fun. So for the seasoned Horse fan, yes this album is worth buying because it has a few songs that are pure gold, but if your just started listening to them i would recommend the mechanical hand instead.