Corb Lund
Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!
4/5
Corb Lund’s fifth release to date is the eclectic, witty, bring-home-to-Ma album “Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!”. I’ve been a peripheral fan of Corb Lund for a couple of years, never owning an album, but happily tapping my toes to the well written and well rounded tracks he produces. “Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!” has convinced me to go out at buy a couple albums.
The album it’s self has some political undertones, a number of the songs have to do with war, although this album is not overtly preachy in anyway. All the of tracks on the album have a sing-a-long attitude, and stir up feelings of maritime sailors and jolly drunk uncles. “Family Reunion” and “Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!” are two stand out tracks, but I can’t honestly say there are any tracks that are lacking or fall behind. Although the album has a distinctly country-folk feel, there are many influences through out, including south western mariachi horns in “My saddle horse has died”.
This album had me tapping my toes and listening intently all the way through. Corb Lund has a fantastic way with words and melodies, neither of which over bear the other, but rather work to make the perfect down home soundtrack to… almost anything. This album would be at home anywhere from a mellow Vancouver beach to a rowdy Scottish pub, and even my Mother’s cd collection.
This album made me proud to be a Canadian, and made me long to be an Albertan Cowboy. I honestly can’t see anyone disliking this album. Corb Lund has the talent and drive to become a legend of Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Bob Dylan status.
+Emma Murray
December 5,2007
