Way back in the mid-2000s, Band of Horses emerged as purveyors of such songs. Their ‘Infinite Arms’ (2010) album became a part of listeners lives, and 'Funeral,' from their 2006 debut, was a particularly sweet virus. On subsequent efforts, they rehashed those highs without reinventing their sound, giving in to an underwhelming fit of inertia that ‘Mirage Rock’ has thankfully shifted.

After the end of his band Carissa's Wierd, one of the best bands to play during the millennial switch, Ben Bridwell founded Band of Horses, which, since 2004, have become one of the bands currently defining the cacophony of Southern indie rock. They've gone from Sub Pop Records also-rans to releasing 'The Funeral,' as incredible of a song as you'll find in the genre; they've found open arms in the mainstream after being nominated for a Grammy; and they've stirred up a little controversy along the way. (Remember them licensing 'The Funeral' to big, bad Wal-Mart? Bridwell's rant at the cell-phone videographer, captured -- duh --  on film for all to see?)