Review: Band of Horses

Seals & Crofts? No. Bridwell & Brooke of Band of Horses. Photos by Fred Blocher/The Star

A live show is a business transaction. You spend your money on a ticket, expecting at least equal value in return. That value comprises a few primary components -- length of show; quality of the sound; what was on the setlist -- and a few secondary ones, like the supporting acts and the size and mood of the crowd. 

 

"Business-like" can be taken pejoratively, as if it implies a lack of emotion. It doesn't necessarily. And it aptly describes the Band of Horses show Thursday night. They played for about 95 minutes; the setlist comprised nearly two dozen songs and included plenty of their best or best-known songs; the sound was fair to good; and the crowd was big (about 1,400) and, for the most part, engaged most of the night but especially towards the end, when some of the heavier artillery was deployed.

The evening began with Ben Bridwell and Mat Brooke serenading the crowd beneath them from one of the theater's balconies. "Evening Kitchen" was the opener, and they gave it the folk-duet treatment. Same with the next song, the melancholy love ballad "No One's Gonna Love You."  It wasn't an explosive opening, but it set up the next one, the boisterous "NW Apt," a song off the new album, which they launched from the main stage with the rest of the band.

BoH is rock band -- rock as in "indie," not hard or modern -- but its roots are also in folk and country. It can sound vaguely like everyone from R.E.M. and the Byrds to the Shins to the Flaming Lips, like during the cosmic "Factory," and Neil Young, like during "Laredo." (And when they sang the slow, folkie "Blue Beard" they sounded a little like Poco).

They can be moody and downtempo, in songs like "No One's Gonna Love You" and "Detlef Schrempf," a ballad named after a former Seattle Supersonic and one of the band's prettiest numbers (and one of my favorites all evening). Or they can rip into a full-throttle anthem, like "NW Apt" or "Islands on the Coast" or an amped-up version of the invigorating "Weed Party," all of which helped set a good mood early. And they can do both in the same song, like "Is There A Ghost," one of the closers, which opens tranquilly and then blows up into a throbbing guitar anthem.

BoH is touring off its latest album, "Infinite Arms," which was recorded with three new band members (Bridwell is the only BoH member left from the days of "Everything All the Time," its full-length debut). Its discography comprises three full-lengths and one EP, but already the new stuff is showing resemblances, weak and strong. to the old, and those become even more evident when strung together for 90-plus minutes, as they were Thursday night. "Laredo," for example, sounded like a slightly remodeled "Weed Party."

The stage presentation was relatively  static: Not much personality coming from the band (save for some sincere thank-yous), and the visuals were large, pastoral portraits of wild life and outdoor scenes cast on an enormous screen behind the band. So there were moments when the mood settled and the crowd waited to hear something it recognized or liked more, which is what made the last 25 or 30 minutes the better part of a good show. That's when they pulled out aces like"The Funeral," "The Great Salt Lake" and "Is There a Ghost." That's when the crowd sustained its enthusiasm; that's when people most looked like they were in the throes of satisfaction, like they'd gotten their $25 worth, at least.

The Besnard Lakes and Brad: I caught about half of Besnard Lakes and a little of Brad, who include Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam. The Lakes' dynamic soundscapes (check out "Like the Ocean") are definitely worth another look/hear. 

Band of Horses set list: Evening Kitchen; No One's Gonna Love You; NW Apt.; Islands on the Coast; Part One (Savannah); Older; Blue Beard; Compliments; Ode to LRC; Wicked GIl; Dilly; Detlef Schrempf; Cigarettes, Wedding Bands; The General Specific; Laredo; The Marry Song; The Funeral; The Great Salt Lake; Is There a Ghost.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[Warren]

I noticed you didn't mention much about Brad. I had never heard their music before, and I don't think I will ever try to. Why is Stone Gossard in that band??? They sounded like Gavin Degraw meets Kid Rock with a dash of Kenny Rogers.

Besnard Lakes was a good surprise, but if I was their manager I think I would have the female bass player sing lead all the time. The one song she sang alone was the best of their set.

Band of Horses was what I expected, the backdrop was the same that they used when they opened for Pearl Jam and the set list was compiled of the same songs plus a few. Their songs definitely start to sound similar going through the show, you are totally right. At the same time, you'd be hard pressed to find a band that can harmonize so well.

Coming out of the show, I got the distinct feeling that Band of Horses could be ready to take the next step to Kings of Leon status. We were surrounded by a bunch of a hole fraternity guys that thought we bought tickets to listen to them sing. It felt just like the last time I saw KOL at the Voodoo Lounge. They may be one big song away.

[Tim Finn]

didn't get the Brad thing. not my kind of deal.

[Bubba]

"A live show is a business transaction..." Good point! Well, I saw BAND OF HORSES open for - I believe it was PEARL JAM this last May and they simply didn't do much for me.

[zzzzzzz]

I fell asleep just reading the review.... so it must have been a boring show.

Of course that is no reflection upon the reviewer, one cant make much with out good ingredients, eh?

needless to say BoH is no AliceFKNCooper, but that is OK, if everyone was that good it might get boring.

PS
Have we given a CHEERIO TO TIM FINN LATELY?

3 CHEERS FOR TIM FINN

HIIPPP HIPP HORAYYY!!
HIPPY HIPP HORROAY!!!
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

Tim Finn, truley one of the finest concert reviewers in the world.

Thanks TF

[Green]

Something I dont get is why band of horses dosent play that video of Danny MacAskill in europe riding his bike up trees and off buildings, that video had to be most peoples introduction to band of horses. Hell I would just loop it for the entire show, haha, maybe not but its sweet and goes well with the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o

[zzzzzzz, indeed!]

Damn, zzzzzzz, you take a dump on a show that you are obviously too unevolved and uneducated to appreciate, and then give props to Tim Finn.....Man, you really need to find something else to bitch about. Your illiterate rants are getting really old, as are your use of "LOL" and "FKN." I still think you're just some bored 14 year old. Your writing skills proves this. Please, PLEASE go p*ss on someone's lawn, dude. Come back when Alice Cooper, Slash, or some other 70's/80's star plays another tired casino show. OK??

[onthemark is a douche]

go fk yourself onthemark, you are a douche.

[zzzzzzzz]

onthemark, I understand that you want to censor opinions like a chinese fkhead, but that does not fly here... so go fk your self asshole.....

[Immaturity reigns supreme]

Yep, I'd say 14 years old is 'bout right........

[Clint]

just because you old fkrs cant handle aging as you become decrepid.... and just because you geezers now hate rock music cuz it is too loud and just beacause things are moving too fast for you, is no reason to try to censor our opinions.

I would rather be young and rocking than be an old "has been" like you..... but please, keep shaking your cane at me.... cuz it is FKN funny.... LOL!!!

"get off my lawn you whipper snappers".... fknLMAO

[Webster]

DECREPIT-
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decrepit

de·crep·it adj \di-ˈkre-pət\

Definition of DECREPIT
1: wasted and weakened by or as if by the infirmities of old age

2a : impaired by use or wear : worn-out b : fallen into ruin or disrepair

3: dilapidated, run-down

A perfect word to describe onthemark, and any other OLDgeezers who shake their canes at people rocking and having fun.

[Chumbly]

This show was kinetically charged, and really beautiful. Tim, I don't know what show you saw, or which crowd you were in, but this was one of the best 5 shows of the year, as far as energy and sound. Maybe it was because you were hanging out in the lobby during a large part of the set. That usually kinda breaks up the mood a bit, right?

[JJ]

In defense of onthemark. I do not see where onthemark even posted on this thread. So what is the deal with this idiot child zzzzz ripping him? Onthemark always uses the same name. He doesn't hide behind a different name every time he posts. And he usually only posts about shows he attended. And I know he is a huge Alice Cooper fan so you are calling out the wrong person Mr. zzzzzz. And what is the deal about posting negative crap about shows you did not attend?.

[JJ is right on the mark (so to speak)]

Yeah, and my issue with this lamebrain is that he calls other people here old and decrepit and then sites artists like Alice Cooper and Slash as favorites. If someone praises a band like Band of Horses, well, that sounds a lot more progressive and 'young' then relying on bands who while still entertaining, are mostly past the point of having any significance or relevance on a larger scale. That's why they are playing at Casinos at this point in their careers.

I go see some of those Casino shows, but even at my advanced age, I still keep my ears open to an array of eclectic new music artists and there is NOTHING "decrepit" about that. But this "fkn" joker then spouts some nonsense about "mellowfest lovers" or "geezers", when his musical taste is as staid as the guy who still listens to only bands he liked in High School, 20 years after graduation. Again, if you don't like a band like Band Of Horses, don't make comments on a review of their show. That would be the SMART move.

[Green]

Blogs = Opinions, nuff said, now go give someone a hug!

[Keiv]

Tim, I think you caught more than half of The Besnard Lakes, I saw you inside the theater during their first song.

Stone rocked the Brad set with fresh guitar riffs on nearly every song. It was great to see Brad live again, as they haven't really played a proper tour since the 90s. For anyone who liked Brad's set - the singer, Shawn Smith, is in several bands (Satchel, From The North, Pigeonhead, and also has released a couple of solo albums).

Band of Horses was great, and I especially liked the opening acoustic numbers from the balcony. This is something that you could only get at the Uptown in KC. What I did not enjoy was nearly everyone in the crowd talking and chit chatting during the ENTIRE concert. I would understand if it was at a bar and people weren't necessarily there for the music, but this is a theater. Why did you pay for a ticket to listen to a performance if you're not only not going to listen, but you're going to loudly talk and diminish the experience for others?

I'm assuming you attended Sufjan Stevens tonight. Looking forward to your review.

[Blue]

Green : )
good job man : )

[onthemark]

Thanks to fellow posters for stepping up. Got to admit it was kind of strange seeing myself getting ripped when I never even posted. Ooh, and getting called names too, the horrors!

I will say that I was amused by the recent correspondence, including the hilarious exchange where our resident troll got bought and sold. You know what I am talking about!

My advice to the troll: have your Mom mention your weird obsession with me to your pediatrician, sounds like it is time to boost your dosage of Ritalin.

Good luck to you hoss...

[TheMikePhillips]

I've seen Band of Horses several times and this was, by far, them at their worst.
For another, harsher review of this show: http://bit.ly/a6OkYn

[davidbdinkins]

Correction- The opening duo is Tyler Ramsey and Ben Bridwell. Matt Brooke was not part of Infinite Arms.

[BoHismylife]

Band of horses is great. Stop doggin them. We all wish we could be rich and famous and play our music for people. Props to anyone who gets that far, whether they are good bad or awful.

[dstephenson]

Brookes has not been a part of BOH for almost 4 years, Do the reviews...its what you do but at least get the members names right...it messes with your creditability.

[moncler jackets men]

never even posted. Ooh, and getting called names too, the horrors!

Read more: http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2010/10/review-band-of-horses.html#ixzz1Y6Fx1b9J

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