A loosely-conceived concept album about horses doesn’t really seem an obvious choice for hit status but if this doesn’t manage to reach a larger audience, I am going to be annoyed. Sure, sparkling intelligence and heartfelt sentiment are not always what people are looking for these days, but that seems to be what we’ve got on our hands and it’s quite impossible to deny the beauty of the songs here. The music crackles with energy, seemingly sparking a new idea with each twist and turn of melody. Occasionally things get a little precious, but not to the level you might expect when things include a grade three class from Toronto Island, string and horn sections, and, of course, horses. Recommended. (Karyn Bonham)
CD, www.rockplazacentral.com