Indie rock bands with animal names were a big thing for a while: Minus the Bear, Fleet Foxes, Freelance Whales, Grizzly Bear and Band of Horses, for example. While a few of these bands may have faded in popularity, the latter seems to be one of the only bands to transcend the trend.
The band that brought us the haunting love song “No One’s Gonna Love You” and the instantly catchy “Is There A Ghost” from 2007’s Cease to Begin has produced a solid third album, Infinite Arms. It’s a satisfyingly cohesive record that doesn’t put on airs or pretend to be cooler than it is.
Infinite Arms is a gem, perfect for quiet contemplation time or for when drifting off to sleep. In it, Band of Horses traverses genres from country to indie to rock.
Band of Horses are not trendy. None of its songs are revolutionary or innovative, but that doesn’t make the music any less beautiful. Sometimes it’s nice to hear genuineness in a sea of emerging cooler-than-thou bands.
Lead singer Ben Bridwell is as mesmerizing as ever, especially on tracks such as “Blue Beard” and “For Annabelle.” On the alt-country “Older,” he continues to surprise when he adopts an unanticipated, faintly southern accent.
Infinite Arms was introduced, as most indie albums are these days, with a free download of the single, in this case “Factory.” With sweeping strings, it’s an interesting and emotional song about someone staying alone at a hotel, perhaps after a breakup, falling asleep to the “greatest movie of the year.” Despite its single status, it’s not the best track on the album. That trophy goes to the title track, “Infinite Arms.”
“Infinite Arms” is easy to get lost in, with chord changes to die for. “My thoughts drift to you,” Bridwell breathes during the chorus. The song also perplexingly incorporates sounds from nature, including what sounds like a bubbling brook and chirping birds. The song, like its title, spans an infinite and seemingly random amount of subjects, including “4 a.m. birdies” and having a dream about being a neighbor about to give birth. With the line “others came before me, others to come” Bridwell reflects on the fleeting nature of life.
Band of Horses succeeds with catchy pop-rock, such as the rousing “Laredo” and the danceable “NW Apt.” as well as it does with slower tracks. The best part about the band’s catchier songs is its refusal to sacrifice the sensitive harmonies in its pursuit.
With today’s influx of electronic beeps and the “chillwave” indie movement, it’s refreshing to hear minimalist songs such as “Evening Kitchen” that consist of nothing but soulful harmonies and a twanging guitar.
Although Band of Horses does its own thing for the most part, there is evidence to suggest the band is paying attention to other bands’ styles. “Neighbor” takes cues from Fleet Foxes with its flutes and lyrics about nature — “The door stood as if it was standing guard of the dozen chipmunks in the backyard” — and Band of Horses manages to pull it off.
Despite the shifting values of indie rock, Band of Horses manages to stay relevant because its music is actually good. The band has gained international renown, evident in its upcoming summer tour to places far away from its Seattle roots. The band will be touring in Europe, Australia and Japan as well as locations across the United States. Part of this regard probably comes from the strength of its earlier albums, Everything All The Time and Cease To Begin.
Unlike other indie bands whose popularity fizzled out after a single album, Band of Horses is in it for the long haul.
wildman@umdbk.com
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
