quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
If it's "The Funeral" (as it seems from your description) you are definitely overanalyzing. Sugary, simple, talentless, unimaginative, yes.

OK, maybe "Funeral" doesn't fit in with our expectations of Indie Rock to make some Radiohead-esque pop reinvention - but come on, how do you describe a song that claims "at every occasion I'll be ready for a funeral" as "sugary"?

As for the new album, I can certainly see it being very similar to their debut. You could call them a one trick pony. Just like Interpol, Band of Horses has a very distinctive sound, despite being derivative. This makes it hard to diversify the albums. However, I happen to like these ponies fairly well.

I recently listened to their new single and was sort of underwhelmed compared to when I first heard Funeral (which I think is an amazing song, but like others, I got sick of it, which happens countlessly when I listen to songs too much).

Their debut does have some strong songs for sure, though. I still love I Go to the Barn, Our Swords and St. Augustine. Hopefully this new song will grow on me.

"Is there a ghost" - hardly a great song, imo. I think I could've written that song.

The rest of the album has some gems, however. Not nearly as good as "Everything All the Time", which was to be expected.

This album just isn't doing it for me. It's so boring I can't even think of anything to bitch about.

quote:

Originally posted by goathouse:
This album just isn't doing it for me. It's so boring I can't even think of anything to bitch about.

I agree. Its a standard album full of conventional arrangements. It is well played and executed, but nothing jumps out at me like the best cathartic moments from their debut. I've listened to the whole album twice and I believe another problem is overall contrast. They should have experimented more with dynamics and varied arrangements. This same fault can be found in their debut, but quieter moments and better melodies nearly made up for the blandness.

St. Augustine is easily my favorite song off of "Everything..."

I still think the new album's even better, though.

i love the new album! and the cover art fits the music even more effectively than the first album's. tracks 3 and 5 stand out for me the most after first few listens (sorry for lack of track titles, i'm a victim of iPod-pocket syndrome and never look at track names anymore).

Since this is out now, any thoughts?

I ordered it through Amazon and I guess it just shipped, so I'll have to wait patiently for now. I'm also curious as to why Metacritic doesn't have it listed. It seems like there'd be more interest for this around here than say, Vanessa Carlton. Just wondering in the meantime how people are taking to it.

quote:

Originally posted by SDF:
Since this is out now, any thoughts?

I ordered it through Amazon and I guess it just shipped, so I'll have to wait patiently for now. I'm also curious as to why Metacritic doesn't have it listed. It seems like there'd be more interest for this around here than say, Vanessa Carlton. Just wondering in the meantime how people are taking to it.

I don't like it.

Even if you do not appreciate the new album, you have to appreciate the kind of vibe that Band of Horses presents live. Only band that I have ever seen live that did not get frustrated (even a little) over a sound malfunction (Pitchfork 2006). You can enjoy Band of Horses the way that you can enjoy a 24 pack of brew with 3 of your best friends playing fooseball.

quote:

Originally posted by Obvious B:
Even if you do not appreciate the new album, you have to appreciate the kind of vibe that Band of Horses presents live. Only band that I have ever seen live that did not get frustrated (even a little) over a sound malfunction (Pitchfork 2006). You can enjoy Band of Horses the way that you can enjoy a 24 pack of brew with 3 of your best friends playing fooseball.

Well said, B. Band of Horses is some great chill-out southern rock, and I like 'em a lot.

I'm really liking most of this album, a lot more than their first. Just a lot of good songs on this one.

I’m with Sir Individual on this one, I don’t like it either. It’s decent, I guess, but it really isn’t anything special. I hadn’t even heard their first album but decided to check this one out when I saw it streaming somewhere. The first half was OK but it just goes downhill from there. It’s pretty bland and dare I say, boring?

I guess I can see how people would like it but then again no. I don’t drink the kinds of beers that they sell in 24 can-packs and why would you want to hear a lesser version of My Morning Jacket? Now there is a band that can bring it.

I'd have to agree about the second half being pretty weak. The first few songs I really enjoy, but after that, I can't really stand to listen to it. A more in-depth listening to the second half changed my initial opinion that it was decent to it pretty much sucks. I take back my previous post about it being mostly good.

if we're talking about bands that lack bringing-it ability how about Okkervil River

I will agree that more MMJ is needed, though - when are they going to follow up Z?

*gasp*

Okkervil River can bring it!

Listen to "Another Radio Song" from the Black Sheep Boy Appendix. It's tears at your throat.

Or is throat tearing not your idea of bringing it?

As for Cease to Begin, I crossed it off my "wish list" a few weeks ago. I hadn't heard anything off of it that was interesting. And their first album had way too many lackluster tracks for me to buy their followup blind. I knew their next album would either be solid in the direction of the songs I enjoyed off their debut, or weaker like the the songs I did not enjoy. As soon as I got the impression it was like the weaker tracks, I moved on.

Is there anything on it as good as Funeral, and Great Salt Lake that I should check out?

Fair enough, "For Real" is a definite song in which they bring it. This year, though, with Stage Names... a definite lack of anything being brought.

I don't know, I love "Is There a Ghost," "Marry Song," and "Ode to LRC" from the new album. I may be in the minority, as I found this album first, but I thought it was much better than the first album.

I still haven't heard this album.

Is it worth checking out? It's the only disc my local record-store owner talked me out of buying from his shop!

Your mileage may vary. Then again, I seem to be the only person on this board who really likes it.

quote:

Originally posted by benjiru:
I still haven't heard this album.

Is it worth checking out? It's the only disc my local record-store owner talked me out of buying from his shop!

I didn't like it at all but before you go and buy it, it is streaming here. Just scroll down, on the left side and it's under the Beirut album.