ALBUM REVIEW: Tobin Sprout – Empty Horses

Fire Records

Released: 18.09.20

Take a winding road into the head of Tobin Sprout and discover the power and breadth of his magical melancholia. The seventh studio solo album of the former Guided By Voices vocalist/guitarist sees him peer beyond lo-fi strictures into a country-fried Americana.

Gentle gravel voiced laments, lapped by a drooling guitar and piano and occasional languid peddle steel guitar explore faith, history and life choices; ‘cross road’ puzzles for both Tobin and his country alike. Harking back to the great divide of the American Civil War the ghosts are returning once more. Already extolled as an alternative American songbook, Empty Horses is quietly compelling. Within the first minute of play I had quite fallen in love with a truly, gladly, wonderfully beautiful album