Band of Horses, Everything All the Time

Band of Horses’ debut Sub Pop release, Everything All the Time, is nothing short of beautiful. Since the only thing I knew of the band before this (outside of their label and that members Ben Bridwell and Matt Brooke were also in semi-shoegazer band Carissa’s Weird) was they toured with Iron and Wine, I was pleasantly surprised when the music hit me. There’s none of the standard alt. country acoustic guitars and laid-back vocals — Bridwell’s voice has the flavoring of Neil Young or My Morning Jacket, and his highs and lows are intertwined with soaring guitars coming through Fender amps. There’s a definite sadness and beauty with each of the songs; even the more upbeat songs seem to haunt. At first listen, I was hooked on the echoey vocals and the far-from-standard music. You have no idea what the next change will be, let alone where the next track will lead you. This album found its way straight to my iPod — I’ve even keep the CD in my car just in case I forget my iPod at the house. This is a definite buy for alt. country fans, and for indie folks, as well.