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Horses In The Sky - Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band
User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9

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  1. 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. 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
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. 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 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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. 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 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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. 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 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.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. 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 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!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. WayneB
    Apr 23, 2005
    9
    Arguably the finest release thus far in 2005.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. LolaL.
    Sep 22, 2007
    10
    Amazingly sad, i.e. amazing.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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