Ten Years Ago: Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

In the Ten Years Ago series, we take a look back at the ten most brilliant releases of 2010 which are celebrating their first decade this year. Next up is the country infused masterpiece ‘Infinite Arms’ by Band of Horses.

Band of Horses formed in Seattle in the early noughties. The group, led by lead singer and songwriter Ben Bridwell, released their debut album ‘Everything all the Time’ in 2006 and, it’s combination of ragged guitar driven rock and rough round the edges folk, immediately began winning them a wide fan base. Their debut was followed up with 2007’s tighter and more self-confident ‘Cease to Begin’ which, with its collection of polished indie rock, secured the band’s position as members of the burgeoning US independent music scene.

Upon first listen, ‘Infinite Arms’ does not feel like the most obvious follow up to ‘Cease to Begin’. The bands attention to urgent guitars is traded for a greater emphasis on brooding and introspective country inspired melodies and delicate acoustic ballads. But a change in pace did not mean a change in quality. The collection of songs on ‘Infinite Arms’ were the most consistent, polished, and good quality that the band had produced to date.

Opening with the emotive ‘Factory’, the record immediately swells with string infused melodrama and finds the band’s harmonies in perfect pitch. Bridwell sounds resigned as he sings “its temporary this place I’m in, I permanently won’t do this again, my belongings scattered all across the hotel floor”. The harmonic melodies continue in full flow on ‘Bluebeard’ as the band’s voices echo above a driving guitar riff and see country meet doo wop in a perfect union of styles. ‘On My Way Back Home’ continues the theme and is one of the prettiest songs the band had written to date. Evidence indeed that they don’t need to resort to an acoustic guitar to create delicacy and introspection.

Not that the record doesn’t contain some gorgeous acoustic ballads. ‘Evening Kitchen’ finds Bridwell wearily contemplating a soured relationship as he sings “drive out with the sun in your eyes, you wasted my time”. ‘For Annabelle’ is a harmony infused beauty with Indian inspired guitar riffs sitting alongside a sweeping rhythm. The album’s title track meanwhile, finds Bridwell’s psychedelic infused lyrics accompanying such a peaceful rhythm that they almost seem to make sense!

The tone may have been turned down, but it wasn’t turned off, and the record still had plenty of exceptional anthemic guitar driven moments to keep the band’s fans happy. ‘Compliments’ sounds as aggressive as anything from ‘Cease to Begin’, and ‘Laredo’ stomps along with purpose as it builds up to its elevated chorus. It is ‘Dilly’ though that is the true highlight. This was perhaps the band’s greatest anthem to date and, is the perfect example of a guitar rock pop song. Catchy verses and unforgettable chorus, driving guitar rhythms and clever riffs, harmonised vocals and a heady sense of fun and optimism – it has it all!

Perhaps the record’s greatest achievement though, is the proof it provides of how good a union indie and country rock can form. Like fellow American group the Avett Brothers, Band of Horses are clearly inspired by country instrumentals and melodies and they cleverly weave this inspiration into their signature sound to create something that is totally their own. This identity suits them and certainly cemented affection for the record in the hearts of many of their fans.

So if you have never encountered Band of Horses, ‘Infinite Arms’ is a great place to start and, ten years on from it’s release, it still sounds exceptionally fresh, full of purpose and inspired. Another classic 2010 record riding strong after its first decade!