Tim Brough's Black Leather Bookshelf

     

Splittin' Apart at The Seams
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Band of Horses jump to a major label and do the new members shuffle for "Infinite Arms." While the result still sounds like the band that recorded "Everything All The Time" (mainly due to Ben Birdwell's wonderful voice), the band now sounds more like it belongs to Ben than ever before. His voice is now more front and center, the playing tighter and there's less of a dream-world sound than before.

This is a mixed blessing. While "Infinite Arms" feels more like a cohesive record than the previous two, it comes at the expense of the grandiose mood swings those albums owned. Ben is also working on his radio-friendly chops. "Laraedo" is the obvious ringer, but I was also seriously taken by the Beach Boy harmony on "Blue Beard." "For Annabelle" even comes off as a Southern Rock/Eagles ballad. There's atmosphere to spare all around (and especially on the title track and opener, "Factory"), so those who did fall in love with the ethereal sounds of the earlier album will find their space.

Overall, a solid record, maybe their best. Like Fleet Foxes and My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses is finding a way to stay spatial while still finding their way down to Earth.