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The Lowcountry’s finest do it again
While ruminating on his Sub Pop days during a 2008 interview, former label head Bruce Pavitt was asked who his favorite current band on the roster was. “Band of Horses,” was his surprising answer. “Those guys are doing some really amazing things.” Considering Pavitt can now be found hanging with shamans in the jungles of South America, it was hard to tell if he was being completely serious. But let’s just say that the man credited with discovering Nirvana was, intentionally or not, on to something.
More muscular than The Avett Brothers or Iron & Wine, less concerned with experimentation than Wilco, and free of the folk prison occupied by Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses—now recording, indirectly, for Columbia through their own Brown Records—might be the best traditional rock band in America not named My Morning Jacket. This is, to put it mildly, is shocking.
On Infinite Arms, Frontman Ben Bridwell leads the Horses a little further out of Neil Young’s backyard. After lead track “Factory” enters the world amid a fanfare of faux strings, “Compliments” harkens back to the band’s wheelhouse with Bridwell shaking his tattooed forearms at the sky, questioning the existence of God in the air, righteous power chords at his side.
But the crew relies less on guitar bombast this time out. Seemingly able to kick out a chug-a-lug stomper with absolute ease at this point, the best moments on Infinite Arms center around Bridwell’s growing confidence in the his deadliest weapon: his voice. “On My Way Back Home” pushes his upper register to the breaking point over a slowly growing drumbeat, “Evening Kitchen” revels in the kind of man-on-man, nearly CSN&Y-grade harmonies that send a shiver down your back (and your finger scrambling for the “repeat” button) and album-apex “Older” sounds warm and worn-in, like some porch-swing hymn passed down through the generations of the band’s South Carolina roots.
After three albums, Band of Horses finally sound comfortable being what they are: A rock band. A really fucking good rock band. Somewhere in the deepest jungles of Peru, Bruce Pavitt is smiling.
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The strings in "Factory" were indeed real, not synthesized.
This album blows. Two, maybe three good songs on the whole thing. The lyrics are clunky at best, terrible at worst. Sad.
I really don't get why this band is so popular. They sound so much like My Morning Jacket, that hearing a song from them, just makes me go back to MMJ.
I love this album. I really don't understand why you find this so shocking. Their last album was also fantastic so no surprise.
As for the comparison to MMJ, I love those guys but Bridwell's voice is better.
Finally a good review. This album is freakin awesome. Right now, there are maybe two songs I don't love, but don't hate. We'll have to get together in a three-way and work out our differences. In a month, this album won't be the "new" BoH, but rather another BoH album. These songs are going to strengthen BoH's cannon way more than the last album did..."no one's gonna love you"...ugh.
This is not a good album. The first BOH album was their best. After the line-up change, it all went downhill. Wicked Gil is the best song they've ever done. The singer has no range in his trunk-o-talent. None of the players are particularly dynamic. MMJ is so versatile, it's hard to say they are similar. I do see some shades of sound in BOH that mimic MMJ (probably not intentional). I listened to this album 5x to review it for a publication in my city. I've not sent it in, it's such a boring album, the review is boring. It's just lame. It's not exciting lyrically, it doesn't break any new ground of sound. It's fodder for (insert teen drama show here,is the oc still around?)soundtrack. little summer pop tunes for teenagers who don't know much about music, but like to listen to marginally obscure stuff the indie record industry pumps. Not trying to score a "wicked burn". This year has not been a great music year for people who don't like Dr. Dog, Crystal Castles, and/or LCD Soundsystem. All given fair listens, all suck on their lastest efforts. The new MGMT has a few keepers, but not as good as their Oracular Spectacular. f*** f*** f***!
this is a perfect album from front to back.
reminiscent of the Band or Crazy Horse.
these guys are revolutionary in a very 'roots' manner.
the songs are so great, and they keep growing on me.
Older is Ryan Monore's amazing composition.
the title track is eerie and compelling...
I could ramble on all day.
this is by far the best release of 2010
and the best BOH album and lineup
kudos, guys!
Chet you've missed it by a mile. If this is the standard of review you do, it's best to stay away. This is a great album and excellently performed live as well. It might not be everyone's taste, but show me the album or style of music that is.
Infinite Arms has songs that I hated at first, songs I loved at first and songs that have been vying for the position of my favourite, all have grown on me with each listen - but to say it's not a good album is a very poor show indeed.
I cannot wait to see what these guys pull out next!
Factory is ****ing superb btw. As is Bluebeard. **** you Chet :-/