Mirage Rock is the fourth studio album by Band of Horses and was released on September 18, 2012 on Columbia Records.Kane, Tyler "Band of Horses announce new album Mirage Rock" Paste - July 10, 2012 Produced by Glyn Johns, the album was preceded by the single, "Knock Knock".
While the album was initially met with generally favorable reviews, the band and fans alike have since become quite critical of it, with Bridwell admitting Mirage Rock to be stilted and insincere. Songs from the album have been rarely performed since the album's promotional tour.
Pre-release In April 2012, lead singer, Ben Bridwell, revealed that Band of Horses' fourth studio album was scheduled for release in late 2012, with production by Glyn Johns.Blanton, Kristen "Watch Band of Horses Perform New Track Long Vows" Paste - April 18, 2012 In June 2012, via Facebook and YouTube, the band shared a video preview of a new song, "Dumpster World," and confirmed a September 2012 release for the album.Nelson, Michael Preview Band Of Horses "Dumpster World" Stereogum - June 22, 2012
On July 10, 2012, the fourth album's title was confirmed as Mirage Rock, and the track listing and artwork were also unveiled. Bridwell has stated that there is no such place as Mirage Rock and explained that the name "is a total piss take."Marchese, David "Band of Horses Get Back in the Saddle For New Mirage Rock" Spin - August 2, 2012 Prior to the official launch of Mirage Rock on September 18, "Knock Knock" and "Slow Cruel Hands of Time" were released as previews of the album. On September 10, 2012, the entire album was streamed on both the Band of Horses SoundCloud page and the official website.Battan, Carrie "Stream Band of Horses' New Album Mirage Rock" Pitchfork - September 10, 2012
Just prior to the album's release, the track "Mirage Rock" was made available on the internet. Although this is billed as the "title track" it does not appear on the regular version of the album, but is one of five tracks on the deluxe edition of Mirage Rock. These five tracks were recorded at the Sonic Ranch studios in Texas."BAND OF HORSES AND THIS AIN'T NO MIRAGE" recordstoreday.com - September 14, 2012
Recording Bridwell explained that Johns recorded Mirage Rock with both "analogue and live" technology, with the album having "a looser vibe than our previous records." He described the album as "haphazard...loose and raw at times...letting our hair down," with "more humour" and a "celebratory vibe."Straw, David "Band of Horses - Interview September 2012" Contactmusic.com - September 2012
Reception
Mirage Rock has received generally favourable reviews. It currently has an aggregate score of 68 out of 100 from 29 professional reviews on the Metacritic website.
The album was ranked number 50 on American Songwriters and number 19 on Rolling Stones lists of the top 50 albums of 2012."American Songwriter’s Top 50 Albums Of 2012" American Songwriter - December 4, 2012 Rolling Stone said, "They conjure the embroidered-blue-jean countryrock of The Eagles (whose first LPs were helmed by Johns) and spike it with punk noise and a 21st-century bloodshot optimism.""19 - Band of Horses, Mirage Rock" Rolling Stone - December 5, 2012
The album debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200, number 4 on the Alternative Albums chart and number 7 on the Rock Albums chart, selling around 24,000 copies in the first week. It has sold 75,000 copies in the United States as of May 2016.
The single "Knock Knock" was a minor hit in Belgium, reaching number 73 in the singles chart."Band of Horses - Knock Knock" Ultratop The follow-up single "Slow Cruel Hands of Time" peaked at number 68."Band of Horses - Slow Cruel Hands of Time" Ultratop
Track listing
Sonic Ranch Sessions The deluxe version of the album includes an EP, titled Sonic Ranch Sessions. It was recorded in El Paso, Texas at Sonic Ranch Studio and produced by the band.
Album credits
Band of Horses Benjamin Bridwell Creighton Barrett Ryan Monroe Bill Reynolds Tyler Ramsey
Additional musicians Eric Gorfain - string arrangements and violin (11) Daphne Chen - violin (11) Lauren Chipman - viola (11) Richard Dodd - cello (11)
Recording personnel Glyn Johns - producer, engineer, mixing Morgan Stratton - assistant engineer Bob Ludwig - mastering
Artwork Christopher Wilson - photography Dave Bett - design
Sonic Ranch Sessions Band of Horses - producer Jason Kingsland - engineer, mixing Manuel Calderon - assistant engineer Bill Reynolds - mixing Adam Ayan - mastering
Charts ChartPeakAustralian Albums ChartMirage Rock Ultratop entry - Ultratop 21Austrian Albums Chart 61Belgian Flanders Albums Chart 27Belgian Wallonia Albums Chart 115Danish Albums Chart 9Dutch Albums Chart 55German Albums Chart 72Irish Albums Chart"TOP 75 ARTIST ALBUM, WEEK ENDING 20 September 2012" GFK Chart Track20New Zealand Albums Chart21Norwegian Albums Chart 9Spanish Albums Chart 24Swedish Albums Chart 15Swiss Albums Chart 35UK Albums Chart Chart Stats 20
References
External links Band of Horses official website