A look at perhaps the worst track of the album, “Evening Kitchen,” ironically displays just how far this band has come.  The song is at best heartfelt and at worst just mediocre, not necessarily skippable though; this speaks volumes of how much effort Band of Horses has thrown into this one release.  The songs with the most country influence include “Factory,” “Older,” and “Neighbor.”  The Southern undertones strangely seem to add to the songs’ quality instead of taking away from it.  Clear splits from the widespread melancholy are “Dilly” and “NW Apt.”  These tracks keenly echo the group’s alt-rock origins, forming distinctly optimistic breaks.  One song sticks out for odd reasons; it is a bit difficult to take “Blue Beard” seriously when the polyphonic breakdown sounds too much like the hilarious Anchorman rendition of “Afternoon Delight”.  The all-important best song though is a tossup between the first single, “Compliments,” and the title track, “Infinite Arms.”  Although the former is catchier and better written, the layering techniques and genuine nature noises throughout the latter show telltale signs of higher production skills and focus.

Formerly insulted as “Fleet Foxes plus reverb,” Band of Horses can now claim a truly unique sound.  Any listener can hear in this new sound a heightened love for nature.  These five men are no tree huggers, but with their move to the South came a deep harmony with all things outdoors.  The fact that the band assigned a separate Chris Wilson nature photograph and hand-drawn illustration for every single song exhibits their fresh attention toward image and detail.  With focus and natural talent comes amazing results.  Although not infinite, Band of Horses’ abilities will take them far.

We arrived in the middle of their first song, “The Outsiders,” and they were already jamming. Two electric guitars, one bass, one set of drums, and a rocking keyboard. It wasn’t a creative mix of instruments, but great googly moogly did they mix well.

They have been a band for nearly eleven years now and it showed. They didn’t talk much, except to thank the audience. Appreciation was expressed for the attendance because as Bear Rinehart said, “We’ve played plenty of shows with eleven people.” The band’s maturity was something that might go unnoticed by a novice show attendee, but it was obvious to anyone who has seen one too many immature artists pop off about politics, spout some ridiculous joke, or just mumble about something because he or she feels that its artsy. Thankfully, none of that was on the menu. Needtobreathe simply played and played well. Their timing was spot on, maybe save one instance in a jam session. The fact that they nailed nearly every transition and tempo change was a testament to their maturity and skill as musicians because they changed pace a fair amount of times. They still had to look at the drummer for the ending blasts, but I got the idea it wasn’t so much for timing as it was that they were just communally experiencing rock music. Either way, they killed the beginning, middle, and end of every song. What more do you want of a rock group?

They covered The Beatles and Ben Harper and put them into one medley: “Better Way” and “Get Back.” The Beatles cover was a nice throwback; the Ben Harper inclusion made me smile for the next three songs. I’m always glad when artists, especially Christian, pay homage to talented artists. And let’s be honest, no one is more talented than Mr. Harper.

The most captivating song of the night, however, was, as expected, “Washed by the Water.” I wasn’t looking forward to it leading into the night because I knew it was their most famous song. It’s like John Mayer playing “Your Body is a Wonderland;” it’s cliché and gets all the irreverently annoying eighth grade girls to scream. And Christian eighth grade girls are even more irritating. All that said, as the night progressed I realized that these were musicians and a simple crowd-pleasing, generic performance of the song wouldn’t be enough. Sure enough, they saved it for last and belted it sans sound system. He sang, “Daddy was a preacher,” then half the crowd started singing along and the other half shooshed them. “No reason to get hostile with anyone,” Rinehart said as he stopped singing. “But, I can’t sing over all of you so shut up.” (jokingly, of course)  And they did, for the most part. He began again. Two acoustic guitars and just Rinehart’s voice pounding out the words. Notes were strained and sometimes hard to hear in the back, but that little chapel’s roof got blown up by one man’s unamplified voice. It was soul and it was real.

By the way, Needtobreathe is a blend of Kings of Leon and Band of Horses. If you don’t believe me, buy a 12 dollar ticket to their show.

The Copyright Royalty Board last year decided that the fee to play a music recording on Web radio should step up from 8/100 of a cent per song per listener in 2006 to 19/100 of a cent per song per listener in 2010.

Multiplied by the millions of songs and thousands of listeners Pandora serves, that means the company will have to pay about $17 million this year, Westergren said.

[washington post]

The internet is serious business, and if they must take away my precious Pandora then I suppose it must happen. But today I want to reflect upon all the good Pandora hath brought me over the span of about 2 years.

Albert Hammond Jr.

Albert Hammond Jr.
I first heard the song “Everybody Gets a Star” while borrowing a computer from my church. I immediately rushed to iTunes and got the whole album. This is one of my favorite artists of all time, and it’s wonderful music.

Albert Hammond Jr. – Everyone Gets A Star (removed 2/13/09)

As Tall As Lions

Some of the most beautiful soft melodies I’ve ever heard. I first heard the song “Acrobat” while letting pandora explore some new genres. This is the kind of music you always love to discover.

As Tall As Lions – Acrobat (removed 2/13/09)

Band of Horses
I wasn’t ever a really big BoH fan until I heard some great tracks off their first cd via Pandora. I really connected with songs like Great Salt Lake, and Our Swords. My all-time fav track will always be No One’s Gonna Love You More (see Best Albums of 2007)

Band of Horses – The Great Salt Lake (removed 2/13/09)

Embrace

Embrace

A band I originally discovered via an iTunes single of the week, I never heard another song by them until Pandora. This has sealed them in my permanent Top 10 of bands that shall always be on my iPod.

Embrace – Gravity (removed 2/13/09)

The Essex Green
I only have the one song by them, but gosh dang I sure do love jamming out to it.

The Essex Green – Don’t Know Why You Stay (removed 2/13/09)

The Gugenheim Grotto
I heard this on Pandora, and then bought it on a compilation cd from Starbucks. The song rocks, and Starbuck’s compilations do too. This band is amazing

The Gugenheim Grotto – Told You So (removed 2/13/09)

The Hot Rocks
I really like one song by this band, it’s their only instrumental track. Reminds me of a much rock-ier version of Explosions in the Sky.

The Hot Rocks – Last Day of Summer (removed 2/13/09)

The Jayhawks
This song does exactly what it says it’s gonna do in the song, it’s gonna make you smile. The band will continue to do the same if you keep listening to their beautiful tunes.

The Jayhawks – Smile (removed 2/13/09)

Longview

Longview
This is my new life song. I love it. I listen to it on repeat. I’ve only heard this one song by the band. One day I’ll move on, but I’m still cherishing this one.

Longview – If You Asked (removed 2/13/09)

Muse
Another band I didn’t know how much I liked until Pandora wouldn’t let me skip again that hour. I really like Muse. Partly because I downloaded a Muse song for Rock Band. It’s tons of fun to play.

Muse – Hysteria (removed 2/13/09)

Nada Surf
The name was always familiar, but now it’s burned into my brain. I love this band. Their music is just… perfect? I love the song “Popular”, it is unlike any song i’ve ever heard. Ever.

Nada Surf – Popular (removed 2/13/09)

New Atlantic
For a few weeks I just couldn’t stop playing this song, maybe if you listen you’ll understand why.

New Atlantic – Safer Times (removed 2/13/09)

Pernice Brothers
Another band whose songs would not stop playing in my head. Pandora played them continuously, problem solved.

Pernice Brothers – Conscience Clean (I Went To Spain) (removed 2/13/09)

RJD2
Beautiful hip-hop melodies. I only like the instrumentals, but those are awesome.

RJD2 – All For You (Instrumental) (removed 2/13/09)

Rooney
I LOVE POP MUSIC. Not normally, but these guys do something that makes me feel like a 6th grader listening to pop music on the radio all over again. Perfect pop rock is the key to my heart.

Rooney – Tell Me Soon (removed 2/13/09)

The Slip

The Slip
The best song I’ve ever got from anything. This song is my gamechanger when I need a pick me up. It is my powersong. Plus, they have a song in Guitar Hero I, how awesome is that.

The Slip – If One of Us Should Fall (removed 2/13/09)
The Slip – Even Rats (removed 2/13/09)

If this is goodbye, I will miss you Pandora.
If this is ta-ta-for now, then don’t be gone long.

I hope your ears are as saddend as mine. Ω

10 Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

like most great albums this one took a little while to grow on me. but i am glad i gave it the time, because i have definitely found some great gems on this album. if you love wilco already just listen and enjoy. if not i suggest you see them live, it will surely help you to appreciate this album. at least it did for me.

wilco – hate it here (removed 2/13/09)

9 Beirut – Flying Club Cup

balkan music at its best. seriously. if you have never listened to this one man band you are missing out. each track has just gorgeous horn and string arrangements, and condon’s voice accompanies the music so well.

beirut – in the mausoleum (removed 2/13/09)

8 Derek Webb – The Ringing Bell

easily the best christian album of the year. webb continues to write enjoyable pop candy that is not only enjoyable to listen to, but challenges out way of thinking at the same time. i cannot tell you enough how much i love this guy. oh and did i mention he is giving this album away for free?

derek webb – can’t be without you (removed 2/13/09)

7 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

spoon has outdone themselves. by far the best that they have put together thus far. lots of intricate but simple instrumentation if that makes any sense at all. they didn’t try to hard, they have just taken what they do and brought it to the next level

spoon – you got yr cherry bomb (mp3 lost during a site crash 7/23)

6 The National – Boxer

Be patient with this one. It took a while before the national had a regular spot on my playlist, but once it got there it hasn’t left. Most of the songs on this album have very complex but very addicting rhythmic pattern. Give it a chance to entrance, for it surely will.

the national – fake empire (removed 2/13/09)

5 Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

Despite the loss of their co-founder, Mat Brooke, this stellar band not only managed to avoid the sophomore slump, but with their song “No One’s Gonna Love You” they managed to put together what is, in my humble opinion, the greatest song of 2007.

band of horses – no one’s gonna love you (removed 2/13/09)

4 Iron & Wine – The Shephard’s Dog

This is definitely one of those cases where change isn’t so bad. straying from his lo-fi acoustic roots, sam beam churns out another batch of songs that will last us a lifetime. it’s very rhythmic and has a much fuller sound than we’re used to, but it works.

iron & wine – flightless bird, american mouth (removed 2/13/09)

3 Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight

These former child stars have never sounded better. Lewis’ voice is as gorgeous as ever and Sennet’s guitar sounds like it has been in the 70′s for a while and came to show us a thing or two. An incredibly catchy album. Anything but a disappointment.

rilo kiley – give a little love (removed 2/13/09)

2 The Once Soundtrack

This incredible soundtrack to one of the best films of the year is a must. Glen Hansard (The Frames) and Marketa Irglova star in and provide the soundtrack to this modern day musical that tells the story of two people whose lives collide just once. Watch the movie and you will surely have to buy the album.

glen hansard & marketa irglova – when your mind’s made up (removed 2/13/09)

1 Feist – The Reminder

Leslie Feist has yet to let me down. I have loved everything that she had done so far. Especially this incredibly catchy album. Easily the record that I listened to the most this past year. It is infectious, once you start you can’t stop. Trust me.

feist – past in present (removed 2/13/09)

Honorable Mention: The Shins – Wincing the Nigh Away, Josh Ritter – The Historical Conquests, Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha, Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

well i hope you enjoyed my list. and just to help clarify this list was based on a combo of what i thought was the best musically and lyrically and then also what i simply enjoyed and listened to the most. but still feel free to let me know if there are any albums that you felt should have been on the list. i am sure there are still some great ones that i missed.

also the plan is for this to be the first of many. i am starting a project of creating a list like this for every year dating back to the year i was born (1985). should be fun. until next time…