Album Review: Band Of Horses - Mirage Rock

Over their last couple of albums – but maybe more through some truly standout songs such as Is There A Ghost, and the glorious Laredo – Band Of Horses have become one of those bands you almost wanted to keep to yourself, worrying success might mess with the pure joy and craft of their music.

But Mirage Rock is likely the album where we'll have to share them. The album's previewing single, Knock Knock, is the calling card of them about to kick the door down rather than just waiting for an invitation, main Horse, Ben Bridwell, perhaps finally having the confidence to believe some of the praise he's garnered.

What makes it so right this time around? The music is still that alt.country-flecked Southern racket, well-thought and well-played. It's perhaps a little more approachable, certainly more consistent. There are still some darker moments – the almost Appalachian Everything's Gonna Be Undone or the love song with perhaps something else going on underneath in Long Vows – but overall it's a Band Of Horses not ashamed of being a pop band as well. But that's a pop band like R.E.M. were a pop band, although you can almost hear the backlash from old fans revving up on internet forums even now.

Production by true veteran Glyn Johns adds further sheen, but it can swing (A Little Biblical) or get a bit sentimental (Slow Cruel Hands Of Time) as necessary. Or go to the album-centring Dumpster World to have them go from Sam Beam-style reflections before breaking out something louder in the midst of it and yet remaining true to the song. It's just further proof of what an utterly assured record this is.