Mirage Rock

OK...This is not like the first 3 albums...And, yes, that's OK.

I can agree with some of the reviews here. At first listen, this album does not strike that immediate, natural chord that all of us fans of the previous records were hoping to hear.

I went through the album in consecutive full-length listens. The first time through as I prepared dinner, and I pretty much shrugged it off as OK; the second, after eating, and reading along with the lyrics (something i very seldom do and/or enjoy doing). My opinion changed quickly. This album is good...it's real good. While they don't deliver as many memorable hooks as their previous endeavors, the song writing is incredible and lyrically potent. The songs are deep and meaningful and very well thought-out.

If you are a fan of the Avett Brothers, you could equate this release with their latest. Yes, produced for the ear of the masses, but produced incredibly well. You can tell BoH are very pleased with the outcome (see liner notes). They feel they created what they wanted, and i get it.

I, for one, am happy for them and what seems to be some success. Enjoy their earlier albums as they are, and stop expecting part II. There is lots of great music out there!

Glyn Johns has a pretty incredible resume'. He's worked with Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and several other rock legends; for this reason, it's not surprising that a band would want him producing their album. For Band of Horse's fourth full-length album, the band feels a little looser than they have before - they feel comfortable and at ease. MIRAGE ROCK feels like an ode to older times: it references the Americana of Neil Young, Tom Petty, and the Eagles. Band of Horses doesn't ape these influences though - instead they let those bands' sounds seep into their own.

The lead single, "Knock Knock" showcases the band at their loosest on the album - it's a solid, catchy song, and most importantly, it sets a great beginning for MIRAGE ROCK. Aside from "Knock Knock" there are moments on the album when it feels like the band is trying to reclaim their rougher edges: "Feud" and "A Little Biblical" are a few of these moments. The song is followed by "How to Live," a more Southern-based rocker; it's supported by strong melodies and instrumentation, and the song is unafraid to touch on typical Southernisms. "Slow Cruel Hands of Time" is the first ballad-based song on the album, and similar to "How to Live," its lyrics are inspired by Southern-Americana imagery - it's a song feels close to something special, but it never quite gets there. "Shut-In Tourist" is a more psychedelic detour, and while some listeners may find its repetition annoying, it works for me. Band of Horses references Neil Young on "Dumpster World," a more socially-conscious song (with very on-the-nose lyrics) that erupts into distortion midway through. Bridwell retreats from his Young-esque croon for about half of the album's finale, "Heartbreak on the 101." The song is marked by acoustics and more orchestral strings; the ballad works well, and it's a good closer for MIRAGE ROCK.

This album follows the progression that band started by adding members Tyler Ramsey, Bill Reynolds, and Ryan Monroe on INFINITE ARMS. I don't want to say that I enjoyed MIRAGE ROCK the least of Band of Horses' discography, but I will say that I prefer their other albums more. There are a few songs here that fall flat for me, but for the most part, the album works well as a whole. Listeners who didn't enjoy the band's previous work probably won't be turned on to them here, but I think that most fans of the band will enjoy what Bridwell and company have to offer on this release. Essential tracks to sample/download: "Knock Knock," "Heartbreak on the 101" and "How to Live."

(Additional Release Information:)
The above review covers the full album MIRAGE ROCK, but there are a few other songs for which to look out. The song "Ego Nightmare" can be found on iTunes - it serves as a bonus track on the album, but it can be purchased separately. The deluxe edition of this album comes with an additional EP: SONIC RANCH SESSIONS. This EP is 5 tracks long, and it includes songs that were recorded during a session in a studio in Texas (including the album's title track). Here are those songs:
"Mirage Rock"
"Irmo Bats"
"Relly's Dream"
"Catalina"
"Bock"

I will start off by saying that the first single "Knock, Knock" off this new album did not get me too excited about the release of Mirage Rock. Something about the song just didn't click, it sounded kind of like a Steve Miller song (I like Steve Miller, but this is Band of Horses).

However, after listening to a few of the samples provided here on Amazon, I decided to give it a shot, and bought it.

I've listened to it through a few times now, and find the album very...okay (hints the three stars). I have greatly enjoyed the previous three albums from Band of Horses, Their first album really got my attention instantly, "Cease to Begin" blew me away when I first heard it, and "Infinte Arms" is a real pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Now we have "Mirage Rock", which I've listed to and decided it sounds more like a collection of B sides or outtakes.

What I mean by that is the songs are good enough, they just don't really stick with you. The album is in no way bad, it is Band of Horses after all, but, they've done so much better in the past. It's almost as if there really wasn't alot of material and they did what they could with what they had, and that's fine, it's always good to hear from these guys, but it's certainly not going to be my favorite from them.

A few of the songs are good for a couple of listens, like "Slow Cruel Hands of Time" is a very nice acoustic number, "Long Vows" and "Everythings gonna be undone" are straight from the 70's and prove to be rewarding songs, the former sounding very Neil Young'ish. From there though the other songs just seem to come and go, many times I found myself not realizing that I'd gone through three or four tracks already.

Again, I guess my point is, any music coming from Band of Horses is great to hear, however on this new release they are missing something in the magic. It does to me sound like a collection of B sides and outtakes from other albums. I cannot say that this is a bad album; but, I can say that it isn't a great album. Some may disagree.

Long story short, if you like the band by all means get it, but don't expect to be blown away.