Since Band of Horses came out with its first two releases — Everything All the Time and Cease to Begin — they have become an indie/rock staple.
The third Horses release, Infinite Arms, is a gallery of the band’s signature sound. Ben Bridwell’s vocals are as guttural as ever, and all 12 tracks use more landscape than seemingly possible.
Though there are these consistencies in Horses’ records, Infinite Arms seems to be a step in a bigger direction, which goes hand in hand with the fact that it is the first of their releases to be put on Columbia, rather than Sub Pop Records.
The band uses more grandiose arrangements than on previous records, an aspect that die-hard Horses fans may or may not be privy to.
Many songs are built on string and synth arrangements in the background. Along with the arrangements, the lyrics in Infinite Arms may create a clear division between fans and skeptics.
With lyrics like, “I was thinking it over at the snack machine/I thought about you in a candy bar” may come off as either quirky and cute, or base and annoying.
Either way, Infinite Arms is a solid addition to the band’s already beloved discography and an encouraging release for the remainder of 2010.
