Words Are Dead

Horse Feathers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lucky Madison
• ASIN: B000H5TV4O
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,974 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hardwood Pews

2. Finch on Saturday

3. Dustbowl

4. Blood on the Snow

5. Honest Doubters

6. In Our Blood

7. Falling Through the Roof

8. Like Lavender

9. Walking & Running

10. Eyes Full of Rose

11. Mother's Sick

Editorial Reviews

"The music of Horse Feathers hints at a folk songwriting genius on par with the likes of Elliott Smith's Either/Or, or the honesty of Nick Drake's Pink Moon, all neatly arranged into a whole new puzzle." - DCM MAGAZINE

Words are Dead is a stunning debut album from the Portland folk-songwriter duo Horse Feathers. Justin Ringle's voice fills out a room with startling results, carrying a strength and confidence that elaborates on the burdens of broken relationships and estranged personal dealings. The album's stark honesty and open-wound vocal deliveries are as personally effecting as they are orchestrated musically, and for that credit is due to prodigal multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick, who jumps from instrument to instrument. Songs diverge stylistically yet manage to stay cohesive as a whole. The album retains a very natural feel, allowing the songs to speak for themselves with a relatively transparent fidelity. By using a variety of instrumental arrangements including guitar, banjo, percussion, piano, musical saw, and strings, Horse Feathers draws from a palette of sounds that is old in approach yet fresh in execution. Relying on an unusual mix of stark arrangements with dynamic accents, their sound glistens with efficiency. Influenced by the mood of such artists as Nick Drake, Nebraska-era Bruce Springsteen, Will Oldham, and Cat Power, Horse Feathers evokes the sound of being optimistically broken. Simultaneously dour yet beautiful, they offer the listener an unflinching glimpse into moments of personal reflection.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent musicianship, January 4, 2007

By 

Rannulph Junuh (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Are Dead (Audio CD)

Along with Alexi Murdoch's "Time Without Consequence", this Portland, OR duo's 2006 CD is my favorite of the year. Although the lyrics are somewhat obscure, the music is incredible! The band utilizes various instruments (check out the musical saw on the first track) to add a fresh breath of air to their familiar, Sam Beam-esque (Iron & Wine) vocals and songwriting style. The duo understands how to use musical dynamics effectively, producing a rich swelling of instrumentation at just the right time in each song. I highly recommend the CD to fans of the indie-folk genre. Incidentally, the CD liner contains the lyrics to each song, if you're interested in trying your hand at cryptography.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an amazing band!, August 12, 2009

By 

Adam A. Guerrero - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Words Are Dead (Audio CD)

This band's music is exceptional. Not only is this band extremely talented at song-writing, their music has been pieced together w/ such precision that it flows very naturally from speakers to ears and is very easy to listen to and admire.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Horsefeathers "Words Are Dead", October 1, 2006

By 

siera romero (idaho usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Are Dead (Audio CD)

This new group from Portland Oregon is hard to pend down as a distinct type of music. It is a refreshing blend of pop,folk,rock,easy listening,alternative and new age all rolled into 1 very pleasing,easy to listen to, addicting form of enjoyment. I highly reccommend it!!!