Band of Horses is an artist who's music has long been held in high regard, especially amongst those with a taste for thoughtful yet captivating melodies. But today we're not here to talk about the things that make Band of Horses great—we have a bone to pick! That's right, it's time for us to take a closer look at the strange and sometimes downright goofy moments found within the soundscapes of this iconic musician. So grab your bingo card and cup of coffee because it’s time to dive into some good old-fashioned criticism of Band Of Horses' musical stylings.
Band of Horses has been a favorite amongst many music enthusiasts for years now. Known for their thought-provoking lyrics and addictive melodies, it's no surprise that their sound has amassed a legion of dedicated fans. And while their music is certainly impressive, it's not without its flaws. In fact, Band of Horses has had some downright strange and, at times, goofy moments throughout their discography. In this blog post, we're going to take a closer look at those moments and see if we can't uncover just what makes them tick.
Let's kick things off with a song from their 2010 album, Infinite Arms. Factory is a standout track that features a hauntingly beautiful melody and lyrics that touch on the idea of labor and the struggle to make ends meet. However, anyone who's ever listened to this song carefully will have noticed the somewhat strange and, dare we say, goofy lyrics in the chorus. The elevator, it goes up and down, but we only go up. It's unclear exactly what this means, but it's certainly not what we'd expect from such a serious song.
Moving on, we come to Laredo, another track off the Infinite Arms album. Perhaps one of their catchiest songs to date, it's difficult not to get hooked on the upbeat rhythm and catchy chorus. However, if you take a closer listen, you may notice the somewhat cringe-worthy lyrics in the line I've been lying in bed with a broken heart, while you're drinking Jack all alone in your local bar. It's not the most eloquent or poetic phrasing, and it detracts from an otherwise great song.
Let's take a look at a more recent work of Band of Horses - their 2016 album, Why Are You OK. The album itself was met with mixed reviews, but there's one track in particular that stands out for its strange ending. Solemn Oath is a slow-burning song that builds to an emotional crescendo, only to come to an abrupt halt before the final chorus. It's unclear why the band chose to end the song in such an abrupt fashion, but it doesn't make for a satisfying listening experience.
Diving even deeper into Band of Horses' discography, we come across Knock Knock, a track from their 2007 album Cease to Begin. This song features some of the most bizarre lyrics in their entire catalog, with lines like She built a ship to sink herself, threw the anchor overboard, tied herself to the mast and said, 'My farewell to the world.' It's certainly a creative image, but it's difficult to decipher just what it's meant to represent. While the melody itself is quite beautiful, the odd lyrics do detract from an otherwise great track.
Finally, we come to The Great Salt Lake, a song from their 2006 debut album, Everything All the Time. This song is beloved by many for its soaring guitar riff and emotionally charged lyrics. However, if you listen closely to the second verse, you may notice a somewhat strange and awkward line. She looked like a movie star, but I knew just who you are. It's not entirely clear what the speaker is trying to say here, and it feels a bit out of place in an otherwise fantastic song.
Band of Horses' discography is filled with incredible and emotionally powerful moments, but it's not without its flaws. As we've seen in this blog post, there are several moments throughout their catalog that feel strange, goofy, or just plain awkward. Of course, everyone's taste is different, and what one person might find strange, another might adore. But for those who've ever been taken out of the moment by an odd line or confusing lyric, just remember that even the most talented musicians aren't perfect.
Band of Horses' discography is filled with incredible and emotionally powerful moments, but it's not without its flaws. As we've seen in this blog post, there are several moments throughout their catalog that feel strange, goofy, or just plain awkward. Of course, everyone's taste is different, and what one person might find strange, another might adore. But for those who've ever been taken out of the moment by an odd line or confusing lyric, just remember that even the most talented musicians aren't perfect.
