Review Summary: You an' me an' my secret south
“Clogger” is the opener to end all openers. From the distinct, distorted bass notes that kick off
Secret South to the song’s soaring chorus, it introduces 16 Horsepower’s magnum opus by simultaneously bridging the gap between their previous efforts as well as showcasing an entirely new incarnation of the band’s brand of alternative country. While “Clogger” might not seem representative of the album, primarily due to its high-energy instrumentation, it serves as the perfect opening track by sounding bigger, bolder and more important than anything put out by the band previously.
Somewhat ironically, 16 Horsepower accomplishes this “bigger sound” by slightly shifting away from their prominent alternative rock sensibilities present on
Low Estate and adapting a darker, more experimental approach.
Secret South is full of moments that are so striking, so unexpected or so beautiful and lush that they elevate the record to a whole new level. Halfway into the aforementioned “Clogger”, David Eugene Edwards’ vocals suddenly appear to drown in distortion, brilliantly complementing his lyrics as he seems to have more in common with a manic preacher than the frontman of a rock band. It simply sounds like something you’re supposed to listen to, something you’re supposed to
feel. Even if this sensation relies more on the delivery of the vocals and the way the band kicks back into full force for a final chorus, the lyrics only amplify the image of Edwards as a religious madman and add to the tangibly dense atmosphere: “You ride a faithless steed / Took you down the wrong road / Ye' in word an' in deed”
This word, atmosphere, is without a doubt
Secret South’s key element. Most of the album is slow, brooding and as wonderfully and unsuspectingly unsettling as the opener. Starting with a gorgeous organ melody, “Silver Saddle” takes a turn for the ominous as low, indistinct whispers accompany Edwards’ already buried vocals. Similarly, “Poor Mouth” masterfully builds tension before crescending into what can only be described as sounding like a total meltdown during its last minute. Here, Edwards’ lyrics are as spiritual as ever, appearing to allude to an altruistic suicide as guided by God himself. However, during these final moments, the vocals are completely unintelligible, right up until Edwards’ desperate cries of “You an’ me an’ my secret south” cut through the static.
Don’t be mistaken:
Secret South’s omnipresent “static” is brilliant. Such unmistakable moments of clarity combined with the band’s unorthodox approach to songwriting, track listing and instrumentation, whether that means including covers of traditional folk songs and Bob Dylan deep cuts, or the frequent use of the banjolin, make for a record where everything fits; everything makes perfect sense. Yet, it’s centerpiece “Splinters” that may be the best song 16 Horsepower ever penned. The track condenses
Secret South into a neat five-minute package, ebbing, flowing, and encapsulating everything the band excel at: from the eerie ambience to Edwards’ yearning for spirituality and simplicity through self-destruction. Ending the chorus on a rare moment of what can only contextually be described as clarity, he proclaims: “He’s no man’s opinion / He is truth divine”.
While
Secret South is a somewhat deceptive record, starting on two of the most immediate and accessible tracks before spiralling into the way less accessible yet wonderful depths of eerie, atmospheric gothic-tinged country and folk, it also functions as the ultimate album in this genre. Whether due to the interpretability and subsequent relative impenetrability of Edwards’ lyrics and his manic delivery, the incredibly versatile instrumentation or the gorgeous nature of the melodies, there is no record quite like it. Ending on what can be seen as an ambiguous sense of closure, “Straw Foot” indicates that “It ain’t no sin son / To be forgiven”. What this means is for the listener to decide, yet, what can be said with absolute certainty is that it functions as the perfect conclusion to one of the most unique albums ever made.
