Race Horses

It's unusual for a synth-heavy psychedelic pop act to come out of Wales, but this offering unfortunately shows us why; it lacks conviction and identity and instead Race Horses seem to have their fingers in too many pies.

'Furniture' opens the album with a funky pop groove and flavours of the likes of The Hoosiers, The Zutons and The Coral, though harking back to the 'eighties with its synth hooks. This is followed by 'Mates' which, with its piano-heavy vibe, maintains the playfulness of the likes of Ben Folds Five; it's an averagely catchy and quite cheesy pop blend. 'Nobody's Son' certainly whiffs of the 'eighties with the moody synth rhythm that underpins the track, but sadly its' melody drags tediously in contrast to the short, snappy pop blasts of circa two and a half minutes that preceded, though the opening bass groove of 'Sisters' picks the tempo back up to a finger-clicking catchy pace. 'What Am I To Do', however, is a more sombre, down-tempo, pensive number throwing an air of sadness into an otherwise light-hearted effort. Even by five tracks in, the Cardiff-based quintet's identity crisis is evident, however; Race Horses are a fusion of influences ranging from 70s soul to a moody synth led vibe of the 80s to a more contemporary playful pop vibe, but they don't take these influences and mould them into a distinctive style, they merely seem to regurgitate, chopping and changing through many a personality.

Continue reading: Race Horses, Furniture Album Review