While some still think of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band as an offshoot of Godspeed You! Black Emperor (the group shares both membership and label affiliation), the group has certainly cultivated an aesthetic that is related to but distinct from their sister group. Whereas GSYBE! tends toward creating accumulative compositions that start softly and build to thrilling, roaring climaxes, Thee Silver Mt. Zion (for short) often emphasizes group singing in addition to towering and slow-building arrangements. Constellation artists are often politically progressive in their sympathies, and thus are probably frustrated as hell after the reelection of George Bush. While this is certainly evident in the lyrical themes dealt with by the band, there is also an exhilarated quality evident on Horses in the Sky that correlates with Thee Silver's clear enthusiasm for collective music-making.

" God Bless Our Dead Marines" (three guesses from which war) features Eastern-flavored dance music, a sardonic satire that combines whimsy and acid commentary all in one. "Teddy Roosevelt's Guns" is a standout track. It features one of my favorite articles from Silver Mt. Zion's bag of tricks, a long call and response vocal canon. The instrumental arrangement is also deftly planned, almost orchestral in design. It begins slowly and then swells to a yawping culmination; distorted guitars and thunderous drums accompany Efrim Menuck's plaintive wailing to an emotionally charged conclusion. "Mountains Made of Steam" also begins chorally, only to have voices replaced by a squalling storm of electric guitar. The title track is more reserved, featuring a delicately hued arrangement that is considerably attractive.

While the message is still portentous on "Ring Them Bells, Freedom has Come and Gone," one can't help but feel an ecstatic revelry in this extended and expansive composition. Soaring guitars, dancing instrumental passages, emotive singing, and a feedback-drenched coda makes this a fitting conclusion to a compelling album. - Christian Carey