Gregory Scott Slay - "Horsethief Beats (The Sound Will Find You)"

Horsethief Beats is the posthumous album of Gregory Scott Slay, the late drummer of Remy Zero.  The album was released last week on Communicating Vessels, the record label owned and ran by his fellow Remy Zero band mate Jeffrey Cain.  Slay died on January 1st, 2010 but worked furiously over the years prior on this beat-driven album that is filled with both resignation and hope.

The album opens with the hauntingly atmospheric intro "Moony Pt. 1" with the voices of his wife and daughter echoing in the ether.  The first single "Keep It Secret" features a scratchy hip-hop beat, flickering guitars from Cain and some seriously skronky saxophone provided by Slay's father Han.  The sinister and slinky "Kindred Spirit" with its off-kilter rhythm and crackling noises stands out with strong lyrics that taunt the disease (Cystic Fibrosis) that he was battling.  The futuristic funk of "New Loop, Old Hope" features more saxophone with pounding piano notes, and spacey side-swiping synths.  "Visit With A Snowman" sounds like it was broadcast from a dimly-lit, back alley with a shadowy spoken word-like vocal.  "Birds Next Door" creates a barren atmosphere with a plodding beat and droning synths.  "Hidden Among The Somethings" is upbeat with a soulful vocal and a noisy cresendo to end the song.  Another standout, "And When She Speaks" features a Afro-pop inspired beat with 80's synths and a rafters-reaching chorus.  Building off of the theme of Pt. 1, the album closes with "Moony Pt. 2" and some more sweet baby talk samples from his daughter, Honeymoon.              

Horsethief Beats was created with a palpable sense of urgency that can be felt in every beat and is a lasting and final testament to Gregory Scott Slay's excellent musical career.


 
Download "Kindred Spirit" here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/38730955/mp3/gregoryscottslay_kindredspirit_5_15.mp3

Download "Keep It Secret" here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/38730955/mp3/gregoryscottslay_keepitsecret_3_16_12.mp3

For more info click here: http://communicatingvessels.net/

Stream the album here: http://horsethiefbeats.bandcamp.com/