Mirage Rock
by Band of Horses
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 18, 2012
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
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  1. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2012
    90
    There's uncommon immediacy to Crazy Horse-style bashers like "Knock Knock" and "How To Live," as well as big-sky ballads like "Long Vows." [Oct 2012, p.73]
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  2. Paste Magazine
    Sep 18, 2012
    86
    Bridwell has never sounded more assured as a songwriter, exploring bold new ideas and penning some of his most poignant lyrics.
  3. Filter
    Sep 19, 2012
    84
    After four triumphant releases, and no matter where they go, it's clear we can trust Band of Horses, one of America's biggest and best rock and roll bands, to deliver.
  5. Boston Globe
    Dec 6, 2012
    80
    Ben Bridwell's voice remains a beguiling instrument in both high and low registers, and there are moments of stark beauty.
  6. Magnet
    Oct 1, 2012
    80
    The songs work as robust individuals, as well as in the dynamic context of the album's sequencing; up-tempo rockers connect with sparse 'n' sullen twangers. [No.91, p.53]
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  7. Mojo
    Sep 19, 2012
    80
    Mirage rock's persistent melodies and infectious energy is hard to resist. [Oct 2012, p.87]
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  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 17, 2012
    80
    Turns out bringing his [Glyn Johns] old-school rock'n'roll expertise into the southern-fried fold makes for a perfect match.
  9. The Guardian
    Sep 14, 2012
    80
    Some might miss the old starry-eyed dreamers; other will revel in the focus and determination.
  10. The Boston Phoenix
    Sep 12, 2012
    75
    Mirage Rock might as well be the name of a new airy-rock subgenre, with luscious, echoey story-tunes rolling in like a soft mirage-inducing mountain fog.
  11. Rolling Stone
    Sep 25, 2012
    70
    Even when Band of Horses go for broke, the South Carolina-bred Bridwell exudes the laidback gravity of a down-to earth Southerner.
  12. AllMusic
    Sep 18, 2012
    70
    Overall, though, while Mirage Rock sees Band of Horses further immerse themselves in Americana, more than anything it finds them enraptured by the simple joy of music-making.
  13. Consequence
    Sep 18, 2012
    70
    Mirage Rock isn't a perfect record, but it's one to own.
  14. DIY Magazine
    Sep 17, 2012
    70
    This record is completely free of direction changes but at least they are consistent.
  15. Slant Magazine
    Sep 17, 2012
    70
    While Mirage Rock may want for a certain degree of ambition and creativity, Band of Horses have, at the very least, figured out how to bring Americana music to a mainstream rock audience without succumbing to the genre's most dire, comatose conventions.
  16. American Songwriter
    Sep 14, 2012
    70
    Band of Horses have embraced a more mature, laid back kind of rock on Mirage Rock, and it's a comfortable, cozy fit.
  17. BBC Music
    Sep 12, 2012
    70
    Still, despite some odd uses of language on them, tracks like Shut-In Tourist and Everything's Gonna Be Undone will undoubtedly keep fans of this enduring band more than happy.
  18. The A.V. Club
    Sep 18, 2012
    67
    On Mirage Rock's best songs, the band feels like a sum of those parts. On its worst-like lyrical head-scratcher "Dumpster World"-it sounds like an ace band that can't salvage the mediocre material.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 32
  3. Negative: 4 out of 32
  1. Slowave
    Sep 25, 2012
    6
    Don Henley does Don Henley better than Bidwell. And if you want to listen to The Band you will listen to The Band. A Band of Horses albumDon Henley does Don Henley better than Bidwell. And if you want to listen to The Band you will listen to The Band. A Band of Horses album should be A Band of Horses album. So.... is it? Sadly, Mirage Rock confirms the bump in the road of promise that Infinite Arms hinted at. A first listen of "Slow Cruel Hands of Time" sums up the lackadaisical roller coaster ride that Mirage Rock never quite takes you on. Lovely acoustics that force you to anticipate the soaring melodies and vocal delivery of "Funeral" and "Great Salt Lakes" (and maybe even "Is There A Ghost") that sadly never come. The first 30 seconds amounts to the last 30 seconds, and you leave the theme park feeling dissapointed. Will this album find its way into your weekly rotation? Probably. Will it become a grower that you find yourself going back to even though you aren't happy and/or comfortable with it? Maybe. All in all, this band is capable of so much more.… Full Review »
  2. mayhew3
    Sep 26, 2012
    2
    The magic was completely gone from the lackluster, uninspired mess of an album. From the overly-poppy and bland Knock Knock, to the droningThe magic was completely gone from the lackluster, uninspired mess of an album. From the overly-poppy and bland Knock Knock, to the droning and painful Shut-In Tourist, it just felt like they stopped trying on this album. The atmospheric rock landscape Band of Horses created in their debut album Everything All The Time, has been fading more with each successive release, but with this latest offering, it just fell completely off the table. If you're into boring, buy this album.… Full Review »
  3. alwayslistening
    Dec 18, 2015
    4
    It's too bad that the best songs on the album, including the title track "Mirage Rock", were put on the bonus/deluxe EP titled "Sonic RanchIt's too bad that the best songs on the album, including the title track "Mirage Rock", were put on the bonus/deluxe EP titled "Sonic Ranch Sessions". Relly's Dream and "Catalina" were the best songs of all in my opinion, so it's unfortunate that many people, who didn't opt for the deluxe package, missed out on that EP. I think that all artists should be able to express their ideas freely with each project and not worry about the listener's opinion, but for my taste, I hope the next record will make me want to listen over and over, as with some of their previous releases, rather than cringing and skipping when one pops up on shuffle.… Full Review »
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