Bad Horses: Bonus & B-sides
Self-Released, 2018
8/10
Listen to Bad Horses: Bonus & B-Sides
A quick listen that includes 3 unreleased tunes from the Bad Horses sessions as well as 3 that were recorded live and include a cover, the French duo Bottle Next deliver a unique brand of hard-folk where metallic and indie-rock ideas are also in attendance.
“Push Me Up” starts the listen with a firm groove as thick guitars and agile percussion guides the propulsive rocker, and “Old” continues the energy with some throwback grunge nodsas strong vocals enter the precise yet rowdy atmosphere.
The back half of the EP is recorded live, though it’s not always easy to tell with the excellent recording quality. “The Shooting Star”, a Gojira cover, then brings a darker quality into an almost metallic folk sound, while “Bottlenecks” offers one of the most turbulent tracks, but one that’s still anchored by meticulous musicianship that soars while writhing with hard rock momentum. “Friend’s Faces” exits the listen with proficient acoustic strumming alongside a quick pace of jam style execution that’s never short on melodies.
Bottle Next are nothing if not atypical, as they put an interesting angle on rock music that’s chocked full of creativity from Pierre Rettien and Martin Ecuer. While I generally feel that a B-sides and live disc isn’t the best place to start with a band you’re unfamiliar with, in this case it just made me want to hear more.
Travels well with: Rival Sons- Hollow Bones; Royal Blood- Royal Blood