Band Of Horses: "Our Swords"

So once upon a time in the great rainy northwest there was a band called Carissa’s Wierd, and they were much-loved. But they they were suddenly no more. Luckily for all of us, in its wake comes charging Band of Horses, Sub Pop’s bulletproof choice for 2006 and quite possibly our last hope against the rising tide of Wolf-based band monikers.

So what do we know of this Band of Horses? Well, on their debut record, Everything all the Time due out March 21, they run the gamut from quiet singer-songwriter confessionals to jangle-pop Shins magic to modern new-wave grandeur. The really impressive thing is that they do it all surprisingly well, and with a lyrical agility that comes dangerously close at times to matching James Mercer’s magical realism/absurdist visionary status.

“Our Swords” is the most immediately addictive track on the record. Upbeat though it may be, it’s a sad little song, and more than a bit despairing or at least uncertain about the future. The first verse plays over just Mat Brooke’s simple bass line, flaring out to the full band which manages to establish a level of atmosphere not far removed from much of Oh, Inverted World, complete with a beautiful, discreet organ line. Though the lyrics tend to be a bit blurry ‘round the edges, Ben Bridwell delivers the chorus with conviction, wailing out the self-doubting, “count on us all / falling on our swords tonight,” with the sound of man who has the sword in front of him.