While
16 Horsepower was on extended hiatus in 2003, its members kept busy musically:
David Eugene Edwards released two
Woven Hand albums and the other two-thirds of the group worked on the sophomore
Lilium album,
Short Stories. Originally a
Pascal Humbert solo project,
Lilium expanded to include
Jean-Yves Tola as a core member with this release. The duo flesh out this moody, impressionistic album with contributions from
dEUS'
Tom Barman,
John Grant from
the Czars, and
Morphine's
Billy Conway, among others.
16 Horsepower singer
David Eugene Edwards appears on one of the best tracks, the haunting, cello-and-piano death-ramble, "Whitewashed." About a third of the album is devoted to dark, minor-key instrumentals, which (along with male and female vocalists trading off singing duties) makes for a diverse and engaging collection any
16 Horsepower fan is sure to enjoy. But the album also stands apart from its "parent" band -- much like the excellent
Woven Hand discs -- and is a worthy project in its own right. Note: the American release of
Short Stories contains three bonus tracks, music from the film The Rain Has Forgotten Us composed by
Pascal Humbert. ~ Jason Nickey