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Horses In The Sky
by
Horses In The Sky Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: This wordy Canadian post-rock outfit (formerly known by similar variations of their current name), here with a fourth album, shares members with the equally wordy and Canadian but more instrumental Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    Essentially, Horses in the Sky adopts a host of varying song mechanics and a wider array of lyrical themes, a broadened pallet that either suggest a band in transition, or a newfound confidence in songwriting.
  2. Playlouder
    80
    This record is, the odd awful phrase here or there aside, rather marvellous.
  3. Dusted Magazine
    80
    Horses... is Silver Mount Zion’s most musically satisfying disc to date because, while the well-worn formulae are present, sonic variance and compositional modification has brought a welcome diversity to an increasingly wearisome aesthetic.
  4. Mojo
    70
    Their most primitive, intimate and vocally oriented [album] yet. [May 2005, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Lost At Sea
    70
    Whereas previous efforts spawned a shrouded sadness that sought engagement by keeping a distance, this work squares its shoulders at once, fervent in its desire to have its audience lend an ear for at least a moment.
  6. PopMatters
    70
    Silver Mt Zion make music of extremes; very simple, inordinately miserable, utterly emotionally invasive, performed with such total, galvanising conviction that it's terrifying at times.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    40
    Horses in the Sky has some melodic, attractive moments, though these are drowned by yelps and off-key vocals that grate and stain the whole work.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. AlM
    Apr 19, 2005
    10
    A silver mt zion manifest the soundtrack to our daily lives....and in this world of pain and suffering and unknown security, their latest A silver mt zion manifest the soundtrack to our daily lives....and in this world of pain and suffering and unknown security, their latest album punctuate our routine as we struggle thorugh the daily grind that is the rat race. Pure sonic love, but not for the faint hearted or those contemplating ending their lives...DONT DO IT!… Expand
  2. LolaL.
    Sep 22, 2007
    10
    Amazingly sad, i.e. amazing.
  4. johnk
    Apr 13, 2005
    9
    9, just for the very ending of the last song alone. and track 2 is also incredable, and some of the groups best work. overall, a great 9, just for the very ending of the last song alone. and track 2 is also incredable, and some of the groups best work. overall, a great release. and i personally dont see the complaints on efrims style/ singing voice. perhaps youve never heard people like tom waits or bob dylan sing. just stop complaining and listen.… Expand
  5. WayneB
    Apr 23, 2005
    9
    Arguably the finest release thus far in 2005.
  6. JaredR
    Apr 12, 2005
    8
    TSMZMOATLLB has another success. The majority of complaints I have seen about "Horses in the Sky" ask for less vocals, more instrumentls. But TSMZMOATLLB has another success. The majority of complaints I have seen about "Horses in the Sky" ask for less vocals, more instrumentls. But that is just hair splitting. It's good, not "Born Into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward" good, but better than 95% of the competition.… Expand
  7. MattT
    Apr 18, 2005
    8
    This has got to be one of the most honest albums I've heard in a very long time. I would have given it 8.5 stars if I could have. It This has got to be one of the most honest albums I've heard in a very long time. I would have given it 8.5 stars if I could have. It definitely drifts farther away from that super-serious, dark, somber, gybe-ish tone present in "He has left us..." and (to a lesser extent) "This is our punk rock...". The production is good, but don't expect the production style used in gybe or previous smz records. The main difference here is the personal feel to the recording of each song. You almost get the feeling you're sitting outside with the band, participating in the recording of the record. The album has moments ranging from dreary to incredibly hopeful. A lot of people will complain about Efrim's vocals, but I for one am not about to. Simply because I can identify with Efrim's voice. Some of us just aren't built to sing like Thom Yorke or Jimmy Gnecco, or Maynard or and number of more well-known vocalists. I can appreciate that Efrim is singing the way he wants, honestly and loudly. And besides, it's not the same kind of contrived "bad" sound as Bright Eyes. It's just how he sounds.… Collapse
  8. LeeA
    Apr 10, 2005
    6
    One continually holds out hope that efrim will choose to not sing or use the quiet/whispery tone that was so effective on the first release. One continually holds out hope that efrim will choose to not sing or use the quiet/whispery tone that was so effective on the first release. Alas, his vocals cover most of this one. On the first track, he almost pulls it off; finding a sound to match his scratchy warbles and evoke musicians tucked away inside some appalacian cave waiting for the radioactive fallout to subside. Unfortunately, as the album continues the vocals end up getting in the way of the more interesting instrumental tracks, making listing to this disc an exercise in frustration.… Expand

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