Infinite Arms [+digital booklet]

Band Of Horses | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: May 18, 2010
• Label: Brown/Fat Possum/Columbia
• Copyright: (P) 2010 Huger Lewis and the Dudes Inc.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 45:12
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B003PX85GK
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,810 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Polished and consistent in comparison to their earlier records. May 26, 2010

By Sam M. Tannenbaum VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I turned onto Band of Horses (BOH) after discovering Carrisa's Wierd (a now-defunct band that included BOH frontman Ben Bridwell and former BOH member Mat Brooke). Their first record, 'Everything All the Time', was ridiculously addictive, and strong enough to make the second (''Cease to Begin') a mandatory buy. The main difference between those first two records was the confidence and maturity in songwriting.

For better or worse, the differences between that second album and this new one, their major-label debut, are pretty similar. Just as 'Cease' displayed greater confidence and cohesion in songwriting, this record finds the band even more 'settled in' to their sound and scope. How much one enjoys this album will mostly just come down to whether they enjoy the band's chosen direction. 'Everything' suggested that BOH could evolve into either a shoegazer band or a dreamrock outfit, and 'Infinite Arms' confirms that they are the latter, with a bit of alt-country twang.

This isn't a bad thing. I was initially somewhat amused by some reviewers' comparisons between this album and 70s ballad-pop, but on further consideration, I guess I can see it- it's just that this naturally seems more relevant, but these ARE essentially alt-country-dreamrock ballads. Those familiar with BOH's earlier work will appreciate the statement that this is 'St. Augustine'-BOH and not 'Funeral'-BOH, and should use that distinction when deciding whether to purchase 'Infinite Arms'.

There are some real high points on this record, notably 'On My Way Back Home' and the title track, which are both slow and deliberate, grand and sweeping.

I listened to this straight through about half-a-dozen times, and am pleased and impressed. It's a great record, but it IS very laid back, and there just aren't any rock-song standouts to look forward to. BOH fans won't be disappointed as long as they don't go in looking for a 'Funeral'/'Ghost'-type anthemic track to punctuate the experience. This works as an experience more than as a collection of songs, and in that, it succeeds.

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Seems to be missing the "edge" May 19, 2010

By TheRobert

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Although I thought their first two albums were lush and beautiful, they also had a certain edge to them that counterbalanced the whole thing. On this one, the "edge" seems to be missing. I may learn to love it over time, but it just doesn't strike me like the first two did. But it's certainly still better than a lot of the crap out there.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The first Band Of Horses album where everything works. August 14, 2010

By Parkansky

Format:Audio CD

I was always a mild Band Of Horses fan. A friend of mine burned me the first two cds to listen to, and I always kind of liked them. The combination of hipster indie rock and the classic country-fied rock was very pleasing to listen to, but that was about all. I did enjoy Cease To Begin a lot, though, since the hipster elements had diminished some, and they were embracing country and Gram Parsons a little more. All in all, I kinda dismissed them as yet another indie band with nothing much to say.

That all changed with this album.

With Infinite Arms, the Band of Horses lets their hair down and wears all of their influences on their sleeves. A tighter lineup this time around, everyone is contributing to Ben Bridwell's timeless sound. Cease To Begin was the blueprint for this album, as it showed more confidence and cohesion in their songwriting, yet I always knew they were destined for greatness. With Infinite Arms, the greatness is reached. The indie schtick is basically over, now the band is a true rock and roll band with some fantastic 3-part harmony and a penchant for killer melodies and catchy hooks to boot.

The album begins with the 3-strike punch of Factory, Compliments, and Laredo. These are easily some of the best work the band has ever done, and at the same time, are vastly different from each other. Factory is a moving ballad about love in the office with some soaring strings. Compliments is a great alternative country rocker with some fantastic harmonies, and Laredo could very well be the road rock song of 2010.

Unlike their last 2 albums, the middle half doesn't sag at all. It contains some of the most beautiful work the band has penned, whether it's the haunting title track, the sparse Evening Kitchen (which the guitarist Tyler Ramsey penned) or the Wilco-esque Dilly.

This also sees the keyboardist Ryan Monroe coming into play with one of the best songs on the album, Older, a song Gram Parsons wished he wrote. Once again, the harmonies are irresistible. And then, to top it off, the band finishes the album with Neighbor, an epic rock closer if there ever was one. The last 2 minutes of the song where the floodgates open are some of the best 2 minutes you'll ever hear.

This is a fantastic album from a band I kinda dismissed earlier. Just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by it's cover.