‘Mirage Rock’ by Band of Horses

Allow me to start with a quick note: Three singles from Band of Horses Mirage Rock have already been released: Knock Knock, Slow Cruel Hands of Time and Dumpster World. Although the group currently offers a free, full-length stream of the album online, four of the five tracks that the band self-produced at Sonic Ranch Studios in El Paso, Texas are unavailable  —  unless fans happen to snag a deluxe edition of Mirage Rock. Strangely, the album’s title track only appears on the deluxe edition.

Now, let’s begin:

Released today, Mirage Rock, the fourth studio LP from Charleston-based Band of Horses is rough, raw and loose — everything you’d want to hear on a southern indie rock album.

The record in its entirety is simple but surprisingly, it’s all so catchy. When I heard Knock Knock, for example, I felt the sudden urge to have a solo dance party. The perfect opener for the album, it’s full of energy and showcases the group’s signature southern-style vocals (also see Slow Cruel Hands of Time, Dumpster World and Feud for more of the same). Electric Music, my personal fave, has the same solo-dance-party effect — perhaps even more so. Both, I’m certain, would sound amazing live.

For the sake of handy ‘sounds-like’ references, you’ll hear Eagles (Electric Music), Blue Rodeo (Slow Cruel Hand of Time), America (Dumpster World) and Neil Young (Long Vowels) on Mirage Rock, and this could be why the album such a great listen for me.  Classic rock-n-roll sounds paying homage to past greats combined with a fresh, modern approach makes Band of Horses’ Mirage Rock a force to be reckoned with…I reckon.

Gorgeous final track, Heartbreak 101, is a raw ballad; airy, rough and vulnerable with natural vibrato. It’s emotional, dynamic but ultimate heavy, making it a strange choice for a closer in my eyes. I prefer to start and end on a strong note.

Overall, Mirage Rock is full of simple, basic structures that are effectively manipulated and a fusion of sounds, both new and old, southern and indie. I can see this becoming my fall soundtrack as I drive back home to rural Canada this coming Thanksgiving. Band of Horses’ Mirage Rock is fun, raw, honest, humorous…and gorgeous.

I’m interested in hearing those secret, deluxe bonus tracks now.

— By Erin Torrance, a recent Publishing graduate venturing into the world of music. Erin lives in a flea-market chic apartment in Toronto with the love of her life and best friend — her cat Bea.