Sixteen Horsepower's second full-length album,
Low Estate, finds them at the peak of their powers, moving their hypnotic, rustic country-rock into neo-gothic territory. Producer
John Parish helps the group reach its potential, accentuating the darkness and mystery inherent in its music. There are still a few weak moments on the record, but overall,
Low Estate is an impressive leap forward for
Sixteen Horsepower, an album that clearly separates the band from its alt-country contemporaries. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine