You don’t know Gus Englehorn? Maybe you know him as Gus Engle. The US-American musician has been pursuing a professional snowboarding career, but always dreamed of doing music. He did so the first time in 2020, when he released his debut album Death & Transfiguration. On 31st January 2025, he released his third album overall, The Hornbook.
Gus Englehorn – About The Artist
Gus Englehorn is originally from Alaska. The indie-rock artist lived in multiple places like Utah, Quebec and Portland, and is nowadays based in Hawaii. His wife Estee is also his drummer. After his debut album, he released his sophomore album Dungeon Master in 2022. The album was very popular in the critics.
Gus Englehorn – The Hornbook – Track by Track
The nine track album lasts 31:07 minutes.
1. One Eyed Jack Pt. I and II (The Interrogation/The Other Side)
Welcome to the world of Gus Englehorn. The first track already leaves a mark and clearly underlines that The Hornbook might turn out to become a really special listen. The lyrics have a touch of a children’s story and feel simple and repetitve. The melodic part comes with a clear indie signature. However, some parts even remind me of world music, which leads to a characteristic, but somehow also interesting listen. The song plays with introducing new ideas and elements regularly, which leads to a very versatile listen.
2. Thyme
Like the opener, Thyme had been selected as a single release by Gus Englehorn and his team. Similarly to the first track, the song feels playful and virtuous. However, this one does not work with that many distortions and electronic elements. Overall, this leads to a more melodic and also mature experience.
3. The Itch
The Itch again opens with a rather childish element. However, the song develops to a very narrative song thereafter. It also has a nice flow, which reminds of folk music.
4. Roderick of the Vale
Roderick of the Vale comes with similar characteristics than its predecessor. However, the five minute track feels more gentle, which leads to a stronger focus on the storytelling. Englehorn’s wife has some solo vocal parts, which lead to a nice theatric plot. The story has a nice touch of irony, which makes this track really enjoyable.
5. Metal Detector
Don’t you think that there should be more songs about a Metal Detector? At least, this US-American artist does – and dedicates the following 2:27 minutes of The Hornbook to this focus. The fifth song of his album is more virtuous and sometimes tends to cacophonic styles. The vocals partially remind of hip hop, before they fall back to a darker rock sound. Synth sounds in the background sometimes remind of an alien attack. Here and there, they even remind me of bird cheeping. There is quite a lot going on in this short song.
6. The Whirlwind’s Speaking
With three minutes duration, the sixth song is another rather short song. Nonetheless, you just cannot say that it does not leave a mark. The songs in The Hornbook present own sounds, new plots, new ideas. This rather slow song has a really fine dramatic touch.
7. Sweet Marie
The seventh song on Gus Englehorn’s 2025 album is named Sweet Marie. The song works with a rather limited setup in the beginning. Towards its middle, The artist suddenly presents a fine harmonic melody, from which he is developing the theme until the end of the track.
8. A Song With Arms and Legs
There is a lot of imagination and metaphors in the songs of this. In the penultimate listen, Englehorn is introducing you into A Song With Armss and Legs. What mght feel naive or too simple at the beginning, is a really well made up song. Similarly, this experience feels true for the whole album. Thumbs up.
9. One Eyed Jack Part III (Epilogue)
The One Eyed Jack, who opened the album, is also back for the chucker-out – or epilogue, how it is called in here. The artist and his wife do a rather straight song in here. Nonetheless, the song is in line with the previous tracks and offers some really nice and surprising tweaks.
Gus Englehorn – The Hornbook – Spotify
I will add the Spotify widget once the album has been released.
Gus Englehorn – The Hornbook – My View
Would I rather buy and listen to The Hornbook if I found it in a record store? Quite likely not. Nonetheless, I gave it a chance and went for the review. And I have to say: I really like the album. You won’t find it any of the songs in mainstream radio, but it is interesting and entertaining music. From that perspective, there is no doubt about the quality of the album.
Favorite song: Roderick of the Vale
Rock Music Top Pick! Reviews
Here are all my album reviews of rock music releases leading to a Top Pick! rating:

Mogwai – The Bad Fire

Melissa Naschenweng – Alpenbarbie

Subway To Sally – Post Mortem

Mense – Spanish Night

Evon Rose – Thunder Rumbling

Deer Park Avenue – Crucible

Heinz Rudolf Kunze & Die Big Band der Bundeswehr – Lauschangriff

Neal Morse & The Resonance – No Hill For A Climber

The Sheepdogs – Hell Together EP

The Virginmarys – The House Beyond The Fires

The Offspring – Supercharged

Since11 – Kinky Universe, Random Trouble EP

Brantley Gilbert – Tattoos

Warren Zeiders – Relapse

Van Winkle & the Spirits – Southern Song EP

49 Winchester – Leavin’ This Holler

Bones Owens – Love Out Of Lemons

The Mercury Riots – In Solstice

Various – Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty

Human Zoo – Echoes Beyond

Wanda – Ende nie

Richard Thompson – Ship To Shore

Sean Webster – Summer Has Gone

Jack McBannon – Tennessee

Ochmoneks – In Schwarzer Tinte

The Mavericks – Moon & Stars

Cold Years – A Different Life

Six by Six – Beyond Shadowland

Dool – The Shape of Fluidity

The Lunar Effect – Sounds of Green and Blue

Phosphorescent – Revelator

Kettcar – Gute Laune ungerecht verteilt

Alex Wellkers – Fly Away

Uli Sailor – Für immer jung EP

Big Big Train – The Likes of Us

Anchors & Hearts – Deathlist

The Snuts – Millennials

Vanessa Peters – Flying On Instruments

Blackberry Smoke – Be Right Here

Kerle Fornia – Ist das der Weg nach Colorado?

Last In Time – Too Late

Fiddler’s Green – The Green Machine

Dritte Wahl – Urlaub in der Bredouille

Ticket To Happiness – Aufbruch EP

Ben Zucker – Heute Nicht!

Uncle Lucius – Like It’s The Last One Left

Treaty Oak Revival – Have a Nice Day

D’Virgilio, Morse & Jennings – Sophomore

The Struts – Pretty Vicious

Luke – Strange Boy in Town

The Gaslight Anthem – History Books

Chris Shiflett – Lost At Sea

Israel Nash – Ozarker

FRAUPAUL – Was, wenn wir dann durchdrehen… ?! EP

Alex Diehl – Das ist keine Übung

Collapse Unter The Empire – Recurring

Joe Leila – Breathing EP

Danko Jones – Electric Sounds

Durry – Suburban Legend

Madsen – Hollywood

Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II

Fury in the Slaughterhouse – Hope

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Sticks and Stones

1476 – In Exile

Lucinda Williams – Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart

Ayron Jones – Chronicles Of The Kid

Steve Lukather – Bridges

Deer Tick – Emotional Contracts

Ron Pope – Inside Voices

Marathonmann – Maniac

Yes – Mirror To The Sky

Indecent Behavior – Therapy In Melody

Andreas Diehlmann Band – Long Way To Go

Sebel – Der Boxer

Storm Seeker – Nautic Force

Dave Hause – Drive It Like It’s Stolen

Grand Design – Rawk

VIVA – Das ist die Wahrheit

Tanzwut – Silberne Hochzeit

The Legendary – Warlord

Eamonn McCormack – Eamonn McCormack

Pristine – The Lines We Cross

Laura Cox – Head Above Water

Sonic Wildhearts – Get It On

Nevena – Nevena

Sündflut – Basta! EP

Isafjord – Hjartsatjaki

Boppin’ B – Saxbomb

Rook Road – Rook Road

The Moon City Masters – The Famous Moon City Masters

Massive Wagons – Triggered!

Wally – Alles halb so wild

Chez Kane – Powerzone

Melissa Naschenweng – Glück

Richard Marx – Songwriter

Billy Idol – The Cage EP

Drei Meter Feldweg – Durak

LustfingeR – LustfingeR

Whiskey Myers – Tornillo

Journey – Freedom

Kasalla – Rudeldiere

Mary Keey – Digital Me

Junipa Gold – Something Divine EP

Marius Müller-Westernhagen – Das eine Leben

Dana Fuchs – Borrowed Time

Cold Years – Goodbye To Misery

Joe Satriani – The Elephants of Mars

Circle of Friends – The Garden

Der To – Hand aufs Herz

The Dogs – El Verdugo

Klaus Lage – Je wahrer die Liebe

Ard – Take Up My Bones

Goodbye June – See Where The Night Goes

Amos Lee – Dreamland

Rolo Tomassi – Where Myth Becomes Memory

jackie – Hey Angel EP

Katie Henry – On My Way

Billy Talent – Crisis of Faith

Noah Guthrie – Blue Wall

Johannes Scheurich – Mehr Davon

Incredible Pack – Time For Decisions

Lordi – Lordiversity (Full Box Review)

Roxette – Joyride (30th Anniversary Edition)

Lucinda Williams – Have Yourself A Rockin’ Little Christmas (Lu’s Jukebox Vol. 5)

Michael Patrick Kelly – B.O.A.T.S

Dieter Hallervorden – 80 plus

Michael Heppes – Achtung Leben

Skinny Lister – A Matter of Life and Love

Dave Hause – Blood Harmony

Elton John – The Lockdown Sessions

Tom Morello – The Atlas Underground Fire

Santiano – Wenn die Kälte Kommt

The Record Company – Play Loud

Wolfgang Petry – Auf das Leben

Adrian Sutherland – When The Magic Hits

Saint City Orchestra – Unified

Peter Maffay – So Weit

Billy Idol – The Roadside EP

The Vaccines – Back In Love City

Samantha Fish – Faster

Danko Jones – Power Trio

Ray Wilson – The Weight Of Man

James McMurtry – The Horses And The Hounds

The Killers – Pressure Machine

Grizfolk – Grizfolk

Los Lobos – Native Sons

Jolina Carl – Mexican Overdrive

Gary Kemp – INSOLO

The Wallflowers – Exit Wounds

Buckcherry – Hellbound

Razz – Might Delete Later EP

Karlie Apriori – Seelenpassagier EP

Joe Bonamassa – Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman

Black River Delta – Shakin’

SILVER LAKE by Esa Holopainen – SILVER LAKE by Esa Holopainen

Blackberry Smoke – You Hear Georgia

Pop Evil – Versatile

Kicker Dibs – Vagabund

Levara – Levara

The Steel Woods – All Of Your Stones

Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert Vol. 8

Durch & Durch – Nice Aber Nutzlos

Robert John Hope – Plasticine Heart

Fury in the Slaughterhouse – now

Adrian Smith & Richie Kotzen – Smith / Kotzen

The Dust Coda – Mojo Skyline

Ego Kill Talent – The Dance Between Extremes

Blutengel – Fountain of Destiny

Chez Kane – Chez Kane

Pete Murray – The Night EP

Nino de Angelo – Gesegnet und Verflucht

Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories

Tobacco Rd Band – Worth Fighting For

Sonor Teutonicus – Morgenrot

The Dead Daisies – Holy Ground

Steve Earle & The Dukes – J.T.

Miley Cyrus – Plastic Hearts

Orianthi – O

Joe Bonamassa – Royal Tea

The Struts – Strange Days

Saltatio Mortis – Für Immer Frei

Kelsy Karter – Missing Person

The Nude Party – Midnight Manor

Kansas – The Absence of Presence

Donna Missal – Lighter

Bob Dylan – Rough and Rowdy Ways

Steve Earle & The Dukes – Ghosts of West Virginia

Dramarama – Color TV

Joe Satriani – Shapeshifting

Heinz Rudolf Kunze – Der Wahrheit die Ehre

Richard Marx – Limitless

Richie Kotzen – 50 for 50

DeWolff – Tascam Tapes
Jim “Kimo” West on Flyctory.com
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Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 3, 27.4.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 2, 26.4.2022)

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Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 25 March 2022)

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Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2020

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Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Jim “Kimo” West (13th August 2020)

Christmas Songs – Why not Hawaiian Style?

Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 3 – 19th July 2019)

Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 2 – 18th July 2019)

Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 1 – 17th July 2019)

Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Preview)

Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 5&6)

Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 4)

Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 3)

Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 2)
