I know we’ve dedicated a lot of words to Band of Horses recently, but I wanted to post a quick note on their show in Los Angeles last week. They are just that good. They were solid this time, as they have been all 3 times I’ve seen them. Sera Cahoone opened, and played a great country set, of which “Couch Song” was my favorite. I don’t think much of the crowd recognized, but Sera played drums along with Mat and Ben in Carissa’s Wierd, as well as on 3 of the tracks on the Horses’ album. The crowd warmed to her regardless. Freed compared her voice (elegant, but plain; sweet, but with some experience to it) to someone, but I can’t remember who he named. Her band was followed by Mt. Egypt, who I’ve seen in some form at each of the 3 Horses shows: opening at The Echo last October, and then when Travis was in the crowd at the show in Hollywood in March.
Band of Horses felt like they had come into their own by this time around. They were more confident than they were as openers, and Ben seemed warmer to the crowd than usual. He even played without his normal Georgia hat (the one that looked like he had been wearing since Carissa’s Wierd, if not since birth). They took their time between songs, messed around & messed up, and played alternate versions of regular songs. This included a sweet, slower version of “Biding Time Is A Boat Row.” I think it’s much better that way. They also did played 2 versions of “Wicked Gil,” repeating it at a somber tempo during an encore. There were a couple new songs, too. But besides the always great “Funeral,” the standout was definitely a revamped version of Hall & Oates “You Make My Dreams” with a heavily bearded Travis from Mt. Egypt providing the ‘oohs.’ Yacht Rock, eat your heart out.
By the way, the crowd pretty much sucked. Thanks, KCRW.
: Band of Horses – You Make My Dreams (video clip) :
: Band of Horses – (Biding Time Is A) Boat Row (slow/live) :
: Band of Horses – For Wicked Gill (slow/demo) :
