Album Of The Week: Superfecta — 7Horse
This week, Emily Claypole takes a look at the second of our Christmas Vacation Album of the Week. Have a read below to see what she made of 7Horse’s new release.
Blues-rock duo 7Horse are no strangers to the music scene, with members Phil Leavitt and Joie Calio originating from 90’s alternative-rock band dada (stylised in lower-case) before teaming up and releasing their debut album Let The 7Horse Run in 2011. Superfecta, the fourth studio album for the pair, delivers the band’s trademark rockabilly sound with a more contemporary twist than their previous work. If “Dean Martin fronting the Stones” is something you’ve dreamed of, 7Horse are here to turn it into a reality.
The album opens up with ‘VictorioUS’, a roaring, stomp-clap number that is reminiscent of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’, and succeeds in introducing the listener to the rock ’n’ roll vibe that will define the next ten tracks. This patriotic call-to-arms is a strong start and sets the bar high for the rest of the album. ‘Like a Star’ follows, an upbeat, drum-led track that displays the versatility of 7Horse and is a clear show of their years of musical experience.
Just two songs in and I was stuck playing a guessing game: what genre are 7Horse? The catchy lyrics of ‘All My Friends (Hate Me in the End)’, coupled with Calio’s riffs, offer a more energetic rock ’n’ roll track. The chorus—a lively chant of “All my friends/Hate me in the end” gets stuck in your head, and is almost comedic in its blasé reference to failed friendships. Leavitt, drummer and lead vocalist, explains the track “is the song of his life”.
‘Broken String’ signals the halfway point for the album, and is a stand-out track, swapping heavy instrumentals for a more mellow, jazz-like vibe with stunning vocals. The heart-felt lyrics elicit a feeling of loss and sadness, which is only reinforced by the accompaniment of a quiet piano. 7Horse explain that “while the stories are personal we know you’ll relate”, a fitting statement for the deeply personal lyrics of ‘Broken String’ that still allow a listener to empathise with Calio’s words. This is my favourite song on Superfecta, as it clearly demonstrates that the duo can’t be placed into a single genre, keeping the listener guessing as to what surprise the next song might hold.
In keeping with the relatable lyrics, ‘What is America’ is a commentary on the current political climate in America. The lyrics—“Maybe I never really knew you/You seem like a stranger/And it really doesn’t suit you”—attempt to personify America as someone who is no longer recognisable, a feeling that has been repeated by many other artists this year.
The second half of the eleven-track album is distinctly more bluesy. ‘Kicked in the Door’, one of the shorter tracks on Superfecta, mixes blues with a hint of country to describe a toxic relationship. The first lyric is quite literally “Kicked in the door/I know you didn’t mean to do it”. The relaxed nature of the instrumentals juxtapose the seriousness of the lyrics, which, once again, creates an almost comedic effect.
‘What Kind of Man’, a song fit for a John Wayne film, is a defining track of the album. It’s the perfect blend of classic Western and rock, flitting from distant bells and omnious whistling to heavy drums and powerful vocals. It tells the story of a train robbery gone-awry, leaving a man running from his past — a fitting tale to accompany the Western-inspired instrumentals. ‘What Kind of Man’ is undoubtedly one of the more experimental tracks on Superfecta, straying from relatable lyrics to a fictitious journey through the desert. It’s a fun change of pace for the album.
The album closes with ‘Burn’, a strong finish to the relatively short thirty-seven-minute album. It begins with a burst of guitar that eventually diminishes as a voice, as if being played on a television, overpowers the instrumentals. “Fire is raging all around us/We don’t know where it’s going to burn”, are the first lyrics heard, painting a near post-apocalyptic scene. These lyrics are then repeated as the instrumentals kick up again, this time with the addition of drums. Suddenly, the guitar fades away, leaving only a piano behind as “We’ve lived here all our lives/It’s here that we’ll return” can be heard. The sinister song ends with television static, signifying the end of the album.
“If you want what we’ve got, we’re the only ones who have it” is an appropriate statement from 7Horse. Listening to Superfecta, I found it difficult to draw many comparisons to other artists, which is no small feat in the current. Each track tells a different story—ranging from personal heartbreak to a Western-style tale—with one song blending seamlessly into the next. It makes for an engaging listen from beginning to end. With a career and friendship that spans over two decades, I can’t imagine that this album will be the last that we hear from musical veterans 7Horse.
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