16 Horsepower - Olden (2003)
Tracklist front / back album art covers download
16 Horsepower – Olden (2003) Album Review
Released in 2003, Olden is a compilation album by 16 Horsepower that offers a retrospective look at the band’s early years. The record primarily features rare tracks, alternative versions, and material originally released on EPs, making it an essential listen for dedicated fans. Olden serves as a bridge between the band’s raw beginnings and their later, more refined studio work, highlighting the evolution of their dark Americana sound.
Album Tracklist
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"American Wheeze"
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"Dead Run"
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"South Pennsylvania Waltz"
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"Horse Head"
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"Shametown"
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"Dark Day"
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"Coal Black Horses"
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"Scrawled in Sap"
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"Haw"
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"Black Soul Choir"
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"For Heaven’s Sake"
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"Fire Spirit"
Album Credits
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Artist: 16 Horsepower
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Release Year: 2003
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Album Type: Compilation
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Label: Glitterhouse Records
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Producer(s): Various
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Band Members:
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David Eugene Edwards – vocals, guitar, banjo
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Jean-Yves Tola – drums
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Keven Soll / Pascal Humbert – bass (depending on track era)
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Mini Review
Olden captures the raw, unfiltered essence of 16 Horsepower’s early sound. Compared to their later studio albums, these recordings feel more immediate and less polished, emphasizing the band’s roots in folk, gospel, and alternative rock. David Eugene Edwards’ vocals are intense and urgent, while the instrumentation remains minimal yet powerful. The compilation showcases how the band developed their signature style—dark, spiritual, and deeply atmospheric—over time.
Most Popular Tracks
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"Black Soul Choir" – One of the band’s defining songs.
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"Coal Black Horses" – A fan favorite with haunting melodies.
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"American Wheeze" – Gritty and energetic.
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"Haw" – Minimalist and emotionally intense.
Grossing
As a compilation album, Olden did not achieve significant chart success. However, it performed well among the band’s existing fanbase and collectors, especially in Europe where 16 Horsepower maintained strong popularity.
Awards
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No mainstream awards
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Appreciated by fans as an important archival release
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Recognized for documenting the band’s early evolution
Rating
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AllMusic: 4/5
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RateYourMusic: ~3.7/5
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Fan Rating: 7.5–8/10
Fun Facts
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The album compiles early recordings from EPs and rare releases.
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It provides insight into the band’s development before their major studio albums.
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Many tracks have a rougher, more live-feeling production style.
Trivia
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Some songs appear in alternate or earlier versions compared to studio albums.
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The compilation highlights material that was previously hard to find.
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It serves as a historical document of the band’s formative years.
Did You Know?
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Olden is considered essential listening for fans who want to explore 16 Horsepower’s origins.
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The album shows how the band’s gothic Americana sound was already fully formed early on.
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David Eugene Edwards’ later work with Wovenhand builds directly on ideas heard in these early recordings.
