Year in Rock 2012 Nominee: Band of Horses

BAND OF HORSES

Knock Knock

From: Mirage Rock

Released: September 18

It's all too easy for hipsters to turn their backs on indie buzz bands; after all, their entire system revolves around trumping up a band to the point of said band garnering widespread attention, then bailing on them for the next big thing and scoffing about all that widespread attention. So when Band of Horses signed with a major label and branched out as musicians, they were hung out to dry. Never mind that they showed ambition and willingness to throw a few new ingredients into the stew; people were no longer in a position to shout “first!” Now on their fourth album (and second on a major), Band of Horses have paddled out from the shallow waters the blogosphere pushed them into when they became recognizable and found themselves in the breakers. Most bands would become exasperated and let the tide wash them up on shores of apathy, but on Mirage Rock we find a band has not only learned to swim but also managed to commandeer a cruise ship and set sail for the warm, sunny beaches of careerism.