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ACL review: Band of Horses
There are about a dozen things to nitpick with Band of Horses and the Seattle band’s set Sunday night.
Their songs routinely go on for about a minute too long and then the band doesn’t really know how to end them; most songs are generally one or two choruses and a verses repeated over and over; main cog Ben Bridwell (guitar/vocals) isn’t what you would call a strong singer and bass player Rob Hampton sounded like mud for roughly half the set.
You get the idea.
But here’s the thing, in spite of all that it’s pretty much impossible to not fall in love with this band and its more melodic if less experimental take on My Morning Jacket’s indie-roots rock. For all the missteps there were enough strengths — Bridwell’s raw emotion and honesty, the ability to pack three guitars into pop-like songs without sounding overstuffed — that the band’s after-dark set was a winner from the first notes of “The First Song,” from 2006’s “Everything All The Time.”
Loud, majestic and austere for pretty much the entire 60 minutes, Bridwell and his five-piece band played for the heavens and came within a few stars of reaching them on roaring gems like “The Great Salt Lake” and the celebratory (of course) “Weed Party,” among others.
Even if, as noted above, Bridwell’s voice isn’t technically sound, he’s got the strange ability to sound multi-tracked live and create thrilling harmonies that (to these ears) far surpass the supposed greatness of the pretty but lightweight Fleet Foxes.
It was all on display when the first notes of the almost-hit “The Funeral” teetered out of the speakers and Bridwell and company hammered it home for nearly six minutes. Afterward, Bridwell marveled at his place on stage and simply told the crowd, “I love you, you look beautiful!” and repeated a sentiment he shared after nearly every song.
For the vast majority of the thousands assembled, the feeling was mutual.
Photo: Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
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Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: ACL 2008: Sunday, ACL Festival
Comments
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By Chris Harris
September 29, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
I loved their set. And they did seem eternally grateful just for the opportunity to be there, which is cool to see from any band.
Of course, their humility and talent were eventually rewarded with an ONSLAUGHT of light and sound coming from the opposite stage when the Foo Fighters started their set 5 minutes early. It made for an awkward moment, but the awkwardness was soon replaced by face-melting pop/rock awesomeness from the Foo Fighters. I felt bad for Band of Horses, but I doubt it ruined the experience for them. ;-)
By jim
September 30, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Rob isn’t even in the band…Bill Reynolds is the bass player.
By Monty
September 30, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
I concur. The band truly did seem to be so thankful just to be there, which was very cool and it was unfortunate that the Foo Fighters started early. Nevertheless, I thought they sounded great…one of the best shows I saw at the fest.
By cathy
September 30, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
this was my favorite show of the weekend, perhaps even the last few years of ACL. I was completly enthralled and had no idea Foo started early. I was one of a hundred or so that crowded in as soon as Blues Trav was over. It was well worth the hour spent standing with a bunch of strangers waiting for BOH. Wow!
By Marcia
September 30, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? I’ve seen HUNDREDS of concerts in my 34 years, and for not only an outdoor festival setup, they were AMAZING. It’s up there with Wilco’s Sunday performance at ACL 3 years ago.I don’t know what more you could expect from one of the most solid and beautiful musicians out there today. Silly. Silly. Silly.
By Marcia
September 30, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding? This is one of the best performances, especially sound wise at ACL in the many years I’ve attended. It’s up there with Wilco’s Sunday performance at sunset 3 years ago. I have no idea what more you could expect from one the finest bands out there today.
By Kate
October 1, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
I have to keep reminding myself that I am reading a blog from one persons perspective when I get upset by the reviews. I too thought that the band of horses were one of the best shows at ACL this year. I recently saw them at bumbershoot in Seattle and they rocked my face off there too. Great music, great talent and I hope to hear more from them soon. I like the Foo Fighters as much as the next guy but seriously, have some tact and wait til the last show is done before showing off, I mean you have the longest set of the festival…don’t be stingy!