The Horn Family “The Horn Family” Album Review

Good things come to those who wait.  The Horn Family not only does not blunt this adage but they have lived it.  After more than a decade of touring, performing more than a 100 concerts a year, the Horn Family has finally signed with RayLynn Records with their debut album coming out on March 4, 2014.  Yet, the times of waiting have not gone by in vain.  Rather, in such an interim of time they have developed their own distinct sonic gait of progressive country Gospel that borrows traces of Muscle Shoals swamp and contemporary country music. Thanks are also in order to producers Mark Collie and Bob Simpson for their fine tuning of this quartet's unique sound. Aficionadas of country music may recall that Collie himself was a country artists who have had a string of hits in the 90s including "Even the Man in the Moon is Crying" and "Born to Love You."  Other than his own repertoire of solo hits, Collie has also crafted songs for Garth Brooks, George Jones, Alabama and Tim McGraw.  Collie himself has co-written 5 out of the 10 tracks here.  Simpson, on the other hand, is a multi-billion dollar businessman who has a big heart to see the Gospel advanced through music.  

The Horn Family is made up of Joel Horn, Tina Horn, Jamie Horn and Tracy Horn.  Unlike many other quartets who are dependent on one lead singer, here the Horn Family shares the lead vocals and they do also offer their hands in co-writing and writing their own entries.  Of the Horn originals, one that serves as the album's hinge into greatness is "Rise Above the Fall."  Written by Tracy Horn, "Rise Above It All" is a visceral ballad that is made palatable with lots of confessional lines as Horn echoes what many of us often feel about pain but dare not articulate. Yet, the song doesn't bury us in the nocturnal mire of gloom as the Gospel is brought in its full glory when Horn sings: "I'm down but I'm not out/And I'm hurt but have no fear/I'll get up from here...You may see my battle scars, sounds and a broken heart/It's not the end at all/I'm gonna rise above the fall."  The other entry is "Victory" which finds Joel and Tina sharing the pen with Leigh Reynolds and Mark Collie.  With a rollicking piano riffs and some delightful fiddles, "Victory" packs a powerful punch of trust in the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Formerly found on bluegrass chanteuse Melonie Cannon's "And the Wheels Turn," "Mary Magdalene (Why You Crying)" is a haunting re-telling of the Biblical narrative that is rimmed with imagination and immediacy.  Lead single "For the Life of Me" is an interesting choice: though it is a pleasant staid 90s-sounding ballad that marvels at the grace of Jesus Christ demonstrated on the Cross, it's by no means the most arresting track on the album.  As far as singles are concerned, one would have chosen "I've Got It" as a premiere choice. Featuring a Jerry Lewis-esque swing-like crazy piano romp over a Motown brassy horns section, "I've Got It" will get us to sit at the edge of or seats with our feet stomping over this jovial burner.  Dottie Rambo's "It's All About Jesus" keys with the same verve.  While more traditional fans may adore the hymn like "Peace Everlasting" and the acapella album closer "Lights of Home."

Ronnie Bowman, an artist by his own right, has also written songs for Brooks and Dunn and Kenny Chesney.  One of his contributions "He Called Me Brother" is most piquant for its lyrical content. Taking its germane idea from some of the most neglected words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, "He Called Me Brother" is a sober reminder for the soul.  However, one would also wish that the drums and its backings were a shade softer so that the song's message would be brought to bear in a less obstructive way.  Nevertheless, the wait is over, the Horn Family has unveiled a tightly packed gem of a record that is going to be a buffet for the soul.  Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Tags : the horn family the horn family album Southern Gospel Mark Collie RayLynn Records