Hordie - Votive Offerings

Hordie

Votive Offerings
self-released; 2015

3.6 out of 5

By Stephen JOrdan

The introduction track "Working Hard" on Hordie’s album Votive Offerings begins with a bang and a nice sonic atmosphere with some vocal harmonization that was a throw back to bands like Roxy Music and 80's Style David Bowie. I was sure this was a sound of band but it's actually one guy named Mike Hord. Hord has some talent as a songwriter and the one of the only singers I have heard who reminds me of Jarvis Cocker.

With the second song "The Growth God" we hear what sounded like (at least to me) someone urinating into a trough. It caught me off guard and then that's when the song itself starts. It's got a clear vision – some very nice instrumentation that has a poppy/refined flavor to it. Some strings are added within the production and it becomes a solid addition to the song. 

It's when I hit the third track "Fly Me To The Moon" that I really started to dig sound Votive Offerings. It reminded me of elements of classic rock from the '60s/'70s, while the addition of the piano was a nice touch. The vocal work, as well, allows me to feel as though the song has lived decades ago while not sounding dated. The hook is simple but effective. Great musicianship with the guitars, the solo rocked. The rhythm and soundscape of this track was hypnotic, it struck a nerve. I loved it.

"This Afluenza" features some sweet bass progressions in the beginning; the riffs all throughout work extremely well. It is moody and atmospheric. And then the production becomes  more layered, it started to sound psychedelic from the reverb and delay effects. The lyrics and songwriting begin to stick out more, and their expressive nature becomes apparent. 

And then he hit us with the funk inspired "Special Lady." I instantly smiled and knew I was going to love this song which actually sounded like early Primal Scream. Such great instrumentation, alternative elements, the whole piece sounds nothing like the songs that came before it. It's just bursting with creativity, and because of the tracks that came before it, it makes this song that much more special. 

As the album progressed the other notable songs were "Man of Song" and "Birthday Wishes." Overall, the album has it flaws but they are far and in between. The majority of the songs are good and some are slightly above that.

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