Band of Horses – Everything All the Time (2006)

Band of Horses released their debut album, Everything All the Time, in 2006, to be met with critical acclaim and a wealth of comparisons ranging from My Morning Jacket to R.E.M. to Neil Young. Formed in Seattle and led by recognizable front-man Ben Bridwell, the band has made a name for themselves recording dreamy, southern indie rock backed by swooning guitars and booming vocals. The particular strength of their first release is one of the best examples of them utilizing their talents. Everything All the Time deserves its credit not for the numerous comparisons that can be drawn from it, but because it is a stupendous example of how synergizing passionate music with equally as wistful lyrics can yield an impressively emotional and dynamic piece of music.

By now, it’s probably safe to assume that the album’s leading single, “The Funeral” has been heard by virtually everyone, whether they’ve listened to the entire work or not. This is okay—the tracks slow build up into a burst of layered, ethereal sounding guitars accompanied by Bridwell sweeping, reverberated voice is indicative of a kind of style the band tends to lean towards. Tracks like “Monsters”, “I Go to the Barn Because I Like the”, and “The Great Salt Lake” (characterized by an intriguing mesh of alternative and country styles) all rely on this dynamic as well. Everything All the Time’s ability to amplify itself sonically into an eventual explosion of melodious, melancholy hooks is one of the best things about it—even when you’re expecting it.

However, one of my favorite aspects of the album is the other half of it—the half that has a completely different feel to it. Songs like “Part One” and “St. Augustine” keep their composure all the way through—but still manage to deliver the same sense of sentiment as the more booming tracks. “Weed Party” and “Wicked Gil” are two of the album’s more upbeat tracks, and show off the group’s ability to play typical, catchy alternative rock music.

The aptly named “The First Song” is the album’s opening track, and it might be the perfect combination of all the band’s best elements sonically. You’re introduced to Everything All the Time with beautifully pensive chords and Bridwell’s shrill, sort of shrieking voice—singing lyrics that are virtually unintelligible—but in a great way. “The First Song” is my favorite track on the album, and has stood the test of time the best. Despite thousands of listens, I’m still not entirely sure about every line of the song, but that doesn’t matter at all—because the music delivers the exact same kind of emotion without trying.

Band of Horses have released three studio albums and one live album since—almost all of which have been great—but they don’t necessarily utilize the components of their debut that made them so extraordinary. While Everything All the Time doesn’t bring the world a never-before-heard sound, Band of Horses’ managed to compose an interesting mix of roaring but serene guitars, meaningful but indistinctive vocals, and colossal bridges together—resulting in an excellent piece of rock.

85/100