May

7

Rock Plaza Central – Are We Not Horses?

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May 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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I’m coming in a bit late on the blog buzz surrounding Rock Plaza Central, but have been enjoying the album for weeks now. And it is hard not to be sucked in by the album before you even listen, when considering the concept. As the title suggests, this album is indeed written from the perspective of mechanical horses who are programmed to believe they are real animals. It’s true. Add to that already odd story the fact that said horses are caught in the middle of a major good vs. evil war.

Why don’t we let lead singer Chris Eaton explain…..

“Well, now I’m imagining that during the war, the humans rode on these six-legged robotic horses. But now that the war is over, though, the robot horses have to face the consequences of what they’ve done in overthrowing the angels. They figure out that the humans lied to them, tricking them into thinking that they were real horses. And then the robot horses get worried that maybe they fought on the wrong side in the war. But even more than that, they’re completely baffled by the fact that all of a sudden they have no idea what they even are, since they’ve only ever known what it means to be horses. And they’re not horses.”

Once again, it’s true, just listen to the lyrics. Rock Plaza Central have been getting heaps of Neutral Milk Hotel comparisons, but as stated in the Pitchfork review, that garnered them an 8.4, PF reviewer Stephen Duesner states…

“His vocals and the band’s liberal application of brass instruments have inspired many comparisons to Neutral Milk Hotel, but in truth, Are We Not Horses? recalls Okkervil River’s similarly hoofed Black Sheep Boy in the metaphoric potential of its anthropomorphism as well as in its considerable musical accomplishment.”

This sums up my thoughts on the album to a point, and also shows a bit more why, as a big Okkervil fan, I am enjoying it so much. Sample a couple song from the album and get out and purchase it from Yep Roc.

Rock Plaza Central – I Am An Excellent Steel Horse

Rock Plaza Central – My Children Be Joyful

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