Band of Horses - Infinite Arms (2010)

Artist: Band of Horses
Album: Infinite Arms
Date Released: May 18, 2010
Genre: Indie/Folk

Album Review:

Band of Horses recently delivered arguably the most anticipated album of the year for the indie world. I've received mixed opinions about this one, however. At the Guardian, Dave Simpson seems to be highly impressed, saying that it has "a much bigger, more spacious sound has been achieved without sacrificing intimacy or their old elemental sense of wonder". On the other hand, HighlanderNews remarked that Infinite Arms "isn’t a progression as much as a regression". Chris Locascio, the author or the article, wrote that Band of Horses haven't changed much except for a loss of bite and edge.

Unfortunately, I agree with Chris. Band of Horses left SubPop Records, and with Columbia Records, has a chance to reach a wider and new audience. Bands normally either change their sound to ease this transition, or keep the same winning strategy. Unfortunately, Band of Horses seems to have done neither with Infinite Arms, an album that goes in one ear and out the other, mellow to the point of losing identity. There is no bite or edge; the vocals are softened, the guitar licks are not as soaring, and it is an overall softball in comparison to Cease to Begin and Everything All the Time. I feel that this band of horses should either keep their unrefined, glorious sound that helmed indie pop, or they'd better be put to sleep.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Song-by-song:

Factory: Cease to Begin started with one of the best songs to ever be heard. Factory is a nice attempt at opening the album, with a nice melody, but it doesn't cut it as a song that draws a possibly new listener.

Compliments: This song has a very interesting flair. Upbeat and quirky, this one was released as a single. It passes the driving test, otherwise it can easily be overplayed.

Laredo: This could better suit as an opener to the album, with nostalgic vocal lines and charming guitar riffs.

Blue Beard: Reverb and vocal echoes fill this song, but it doesn't feel half as rich as songs like Funeral or Is There a Ghost, ones that explode during the chorus.

Way Back Home: A song with much musical interlude and high range vocals from Bridwell make it an enjoyable listen, but again, nothing much stands out.

Infinite Arms: A tragic title track. Might as well dig your grave from this point on, fellas. (interestingly enough, however, after Infinite Arms their first two albums both made their appearance on the UK top Hits chart).

Dilly: With a funky keyboard intro and Brit pop-like vocals, this song changes mood to something more light hearted and springy. Adding a "y" to things make them more fun. Imagine the title "Dill". Nah...

Evening Kitchen: The slow song of the album, I suppose. I gotta admit that Horses' vocal harmonies are unparalleled....except by Fleet Foxes, perhaps :P

Older: I can tolerate the steel guitar in this track, as it strikes quite a different chord. Instead of a country feel, something akin to an "oldies" feel is presented. I'm not much for it, but it's a good song in itself.

Trudy: Another slow song. Dilly proved to be misleading, and so does the rest of the album, it seems. Take it for what it is, but it isn't much.

Northwest Apartment: Very upbeat, and perhaps the most distortion i've heard in any Horses song. This song is one of my favorites off the album.

Neighbor: This song was almost unbearable to listen to, as it seems to go nowhere. I did enjoy the lyrics however, ambiguous as they tend to be. plus, after the 3:30 mark, the song picks up, and for a cruddy album, it had a very nice outro.