Album Review: "Flying Red Horse" by Victor Zembruski And His Orchestra
If you’re a fan of upbeat, foot-tapping tunes that feel like they’ve been plucked straight outta some Midwest barn dance, then Flying Red Horse is your ticket. Released under the Remington label and falling squarely into the Folk, World, & Country genre with a heavy lean on Polka, this album has all the hallmarks of classic American polka music—minus any pretentiousness.
Let’s get one thing clear right off the bat: this isn’t an album for everyone. If you’re not into accordion-heavy melodies or don’t appreciate the occasional yodel-like whoop in the background, well, maybe stick to your jazz playlists. But if you’re up for something lively, nostalgic, and unapologetically fun, Victor Zembruski delivers.
Standout Tracks
Take “Alexander Polka”, for instance. This track grabs you from the first note and doesn’t let go. It’s impossible not to picture yourself spinning around a wooden floor somewhere in small-town America while someone shouts encouragement from the sidelines. The rhythm is infectious—it’s got that oom-pah-pah energy but with enough swing to keep things fresh. What sticks with me most about this song is how it builds; just when you think it can’t get more rousing, another layer jumps in, pulling you deeper into its whirlwind of sound. Honestly, I found myself humming it hours later, much to my own surprise.
Then there’s the title track, “Flying Red Horse.” Now, I gotta admit—I didn’t expect much from a song named after what sounds like a gas station mascot come to life. Boy, was I wrong. There’s something magical about the way Zembruski blends traditional polka instrumentation with these unexpected bursts of brass. You can almost visualize galloping horses (red ones, no less) charging across open plains. Cheesy imagery? Maybe. But hey, that’s kinda the charm here.
Reflections
What makes Flying Red Horse work so well is its authenticity. There’s no overproduced nonsense or attempts to modernize the style. Instead, Victor Zembruski leans fully into the quirks and joys of Polka, creating something timeless yet oddly specific. Listening to it feels like stepping back in time—or at least into someone else’s memory of a really great party.
And here’s the kicker: despite being decades old, this album still feels relevant. In a world obsessed with EDM drops and auto-tuned vocals, hearing something as raw and joyful as this reminds you why music exists in the first place—to make people smile, dance, and maybe spill their beer in the process. So grab a cold one, crank up the volume, and give Flying Red Horse a spin. Trust me, your feet will thank you—even if your neighbors won’t.
