Chris D / Divine Horsemen - Time Stands Still

 

I was just musing as I listened to a new-to-me Flesheaters record that I wasn't sure what prompts Chris D. to use the FE name as opposed to the Divine Horsemen name, as they both are loose amalgamations of friends, musicians and associates of Chris' that both constantly change. But, in this case, the Horsemen's original 1984 outing, Chris was going for an acoustic take on his music, described on Bandcamp as "Gothic-American murder ballads and folked-up rock". Sounds about right!

There are no less than 13 (!) guests on this record, with Chris' then-future (now-ex, I believe, but still a musical partner) wife, Julie Christensen, providing some truly lovely vocals, offsetting Chris' harsh growl, and joined by a who's-who of the LA Scene - Dave Alvin and Bill Batemen (on guitar!) from the Blasters, John Doe of X, Jeffrey Lee Pierce and Texacala Jones, Kid Congo, Robin Jameson, Chris Cacavas, Ann Dejarnett, Dan Stuart, Slim Evans and Kerry McBride! Whew!

The proceedings start with a Tex-Mex feel - sounding a little like acoustic X - in "When The Rain Comes Down" with nice piano work and excellent, melodic vocals from Julie. "Lilly White Hands" again is enhanced by Julie's vocals and Ann's excellently haunting violin - the violin really adds a lot to a good portion of the album, maybe a little similar to Dylan's Desire album, albeit a bit darker. Acoustic guitars give a chunky rhythm to "Past All Dishonor" and Julie's counterpoint vocals truly brings this tune to a whole 'nother level and the violin at the ending is superb. There's a moody, melancholy take on "Frankie and Johnny" done as a duet with Julie titled "Frankie Silver", more chunky, chugging acoustic guitars for "Sanctuary", also with piano intertwining around the melody and Texacala joining on the chorus and adding some call'n'answer as it progresses, "Heat From the Sun" is basically some neat, sparse, ambient noise behind Chris' lyrics, "Little Sister" has more expressive, John Cale-esque violin work that builds to a frenzy before returning to it's original pace, "Hell's Belle" has both Jeffrey Lee Pierce and Kid Congo on guitars, for an almost Gun Club experience in its acoustic way and an energetic, hand-clapping ending, and everything concludes with the title track, a simple, repetitive tune that builds nicely in energy and instrumentation and vocals before fading out.

If anything, I think that I generally prefer this to a lot of the Flesheaters, if only that it is a bit more melodically interesting with the various instruments and terrific female vocals. Not to disparage the FE's in any way, just saying how good I believe this is!