After reading a lot of high praise for Band of Horses, I began listening to the album. I'd have to say that I was not bowled over by it. From my first listen, it sounded to me like a My Morning Jacket covers band.

Maybe I need to give it more time. For you guys out there that love this album, what is it that you like about it?

I see why the MMJ comparisons are being made, but I don't hear it as much as some others do. There's a vocal similarity (but Jim James sounds, to me, like Neil Young and nobody's calling MMJ a 'poor man's Neil Young') and both have an alt-country sound, but I don't think BOH sounds very much like, say, MMJ's Z. Both like to use echo and reverb, which is another similarity.

I like the songs on the BOH record. I don't think they're breaking any new ground, but I'm not sure how many bands really are.

Personally, I think it's the kind of album you'll undoubtedly be disappointed in if you have any expectation of being bowled over, because it isn't particularly original, ambitious or distinct sounding(at least at first). I probably use the MMJ and Neil Young comparisons first when explaining them to somebody as well, but I wouldn't write them off as a poor man's anyone.

When I first heard the album I was bored to death, which seems to be a common first reaction. I never imagined it would hit me at all. I still managed to give it 4 or 5 listens, and the songs started really creeping up on me. I just found the atmosphere painted by the music and lyrics to be rather beautiful and easy to relate to, even when you don't fully understand what they mean. Throughout the entire album, I always feel like the music perfectly expresses the intended moods, without ever feeling forced.

This album is definitely my favorite "chill" album of the year, and routinely is one I've fallen asleep to. It's become my go-to album this year when I'm not in the mood for more complex or bizarre music. I would say if you've given it four or five listens and can't find anything bringing you back, then it probably just isn't your thing. But I also feel that frequently it's written off as boring, derivative and repetitive too quickly. It may be such to some ears, but I have a hunch that sometimes those are claims made by people who are too aware of the hype and haven't given it enough open-minded listens(oops, I'm starting to get a little defensive now).


Either that or I'm just a sucker for Neil Young influenced vocals.

The My Morning Jacket is a pretty lazy comparison that alot of journalists made....besides the reverb heavy vocals (sometimes) and folk-rock style of the band, it stands as pretty unique on its own.

quote:

Originally posted by The Ninth Wave:
The My Morning Jacket is a pretty lazy comparison that alot of journalists made....besides the reverb heavy vocals (sometimes) and folk-rock style of the band, it stands as pretty unique on its own.

When I first heard MMJ's "Golden", I could swear that I had heard it before, and it was an old 70's song. I even looked for the lyrics and tried to figure out who they were covering. I finally convinced myself it wasn't a cover song, and that's when I knew I really liked them.

quote:

The My Morning Jacket is a pretty lazy comparison that alot of journalists made....besides the reverb heavy vocals (sometimes) and folk-rock style of the band, it stands as pretty unique on its own.

I wouldn't really call it a "lazy" comparison. I mean, Band of Horses do sound quite a bit like My Morning Jacket. I'm not saying they're the same thing by any means, but both are clearly in the same genre, and with a similar vocal style. If you could play a song from each band to an unfamiliar listener and they couldn't tell the difference (which you could) then the band's can most definitely be compared.

I'm a My Morning Jacket fan and was a little skeptical hearing the first reviews for the Band of Horses album but a year or so later, i'm still listening to the BOH album. Each song on it is quite solid. And as much as i like My Morning Jacket i don't listen to any of their albums as a cohesive piece, just basically particular songs i like alot. On the other hand, the band of horses album is a great piece of work and always listen to the album straight through. Its not a lazy comparison but i do think its a bit off to just name them a poor man's MMJ when they have great talent

This album is definitely a guilty pleasure for me. I usually don't like this kind of easy-listening mid tempo rock, yet I found myself in the mood for "Everything All The Time" well...all the time. I think the vocals are really the draw in my personal taste. I just love any kind of high reverb-soaked vocal line, and when it is packed into a nicely formed pop song I can't really resist.

Bonus Question: can you guess why I love Person Pitch?

quote:

Originally posted by CouldBAnyone:

Bonus Question: can you guess why I love Person Pitch?

Nope. Not at all. I gave it a listen, and I don't hear any "nicely formed pop song" in the bunch. Am I wrong?

'Person Pitch' is actually a great album, but definitley one you need to give alot of time to and I also found that the right listening environment can make alot of difference. Hearing it in my bedroom for the first time I found it very claustrophobic and disliked the often murky production. But the huge difference in taking a stroll along the beach front on a sunny day was amazing. But it really varys from person to person....I tend to be the obsessive compulsive type who must soundtrack my every waking moment to some form of music (I once went a week without headphones....an utter nightmare). Another interesting thing you must all try is listening to 'The Drift' by Scott Walker while walking late at night....very creepy.

quote:

Originally posted by The Ninth Wave:
Another interesting thing you must all try is listening to 'The Drift' by Scott Walker while walking late at night....very creepy.

Totally agree, and I loved it on the first listen. It kind of reminds me of Chris Connely, but even darker and weirder.

Mmmm...I don't think I'm familiar with Chris Connely. What would be a good album to check out?

quote:

Originally posted by The Ninth Wave:
Mmmm...I don't think I'm familiar with Chris Connely. What would be a good album to check out?

Phenobarb Bambalan. No, I don't know what it means.