Tired Pony may feature members of Snow Patrol, R.E.M. And Belle & Sebastian, but it's a hugely average collective of music that barely touches on the country influences it boasts of, leaving it firmly in the standard alt-rock category.
Supergroups. Do they ever work? The collaborative project of Gary Lightbody and Peter Buck, both boys have brought live members of their respective bands on board, alongside Belle & Sebastian's Richard Colburn, producer Jacknife Lee and Bangor boy Iain Archer. And that's before we've even mentioned the guest appearances. Despite the many names involved in this project, this is clearly Lightbody's baby. His familiar songwriting style is immediately recognisable, albeit in a much more stripped back form than that to which Snow Patrol fans have become accustomed.
Lightbody has a tendency to resort to old tricks, such as the slow build of 'Held In The Arms Of Your Words' which begins with just simple guitar and vocals before being fleshed out with soft drumming, delicate piano and harmonies over the course of almost seven minutes. It's pretty, sure, but far too drawn out. In contrast, 'The Place We Ran From' is strongest where it embraces the simplicity of its country and folk influences, as on the light, rickety 'Point Me At Lost Islands' with its rhythmic mandolin and banjo played alongside bluegrass fiddles.
Gary takes a backseat on a number of tracks, handing over lead vocals to his Reindeer Section bandmate Iain Archer on the rolling country number 'I Am A Landslide', while Editors' Tom Smith's deep, smooth tones add an air of sophistication and sobriety to 'The Good Book'. She & Him singer Zooey Deschanel's effect on 'Get On The Road' is similar to that of Martha Wainwright on 'Set The Fire To The Third Bar', ie. To balance the vocals with delicate femininity. Elsewhere, the "Him" to Deschanel's "She", M.Ward also appears, though his electric guitar makes little lasting impression.
On the whole, 'The Place We Ran From' just doesn't have enough oomph to keep the average Snow Patrol fan interested, and simply can't compete in an alt-folk genre where the likes of Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling rightly rule the roost. In short, Tired Pony are entirely unessential.
