Band of Horses

 

 

I’ve been wanting to see Band of Horses for years and last night I finally got to see them play an intimate show at The Paradise in Boston. This was a great setting for the band who has been playing arena shows over the past year opening for My Morning Jacket, Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon.  Lead singer Ben Birdwell commented on how they were quite happy to sell out The Paradise.

The band played a 17 song/ 80 minute set that slowed down only briefly during a couple of songs from their most recent album “Infinite Arms”.  The band was in good spirits and you could tell they were happy to be playing for their own fans.  They started with “NW Apt.” which sounded a little rough due to the vocals being lost in the mix but besides that it was smooth sailing for the rest of the set.

The band had a huge wall of sound due to the three guitar assault. They also fleshed out their songs, which is similar to what My Morning Jacket do live. Their songs have many textures that were also enhanced by keys/piano and pedal steel.  Some of the standout songs were “Ode To LRC”, “The Great Salt Lake” and set-closer “The Funeral”.  The quieter songs displayed the intricacy of their songs as well as Ben Birdwell’s Impressive vocals. I had never heard live recordings or videos so I didn’t know what to expect but these guys know how to put on a show.

Paradise Rock Club, December 12, 2011

1. NW Apt.

2. Cigarettes, Wedding Bands

3. Is There A Ghost

4. The Great Salt Lake

5. Weed Party

6. Compliments

7. Marry Song

8. The General Specific

9. Laredo

10. Older

11. Islands on the Coast

12. Infinite Arms

13. No One’s Gonna Love You

14. Ode To LRC

15. Am I A Good Man ( Them Two cover) 

Encore

16. Part One

17. The Funeral