Is Things Are Great a good place to start with Band of Horses?

Yes, Things Are Great is recommended as a starting point for new Band of Horses listeners. A reflective blend of melodic indie rock and introspective lyrics, layered with warm instrumentation and thoughtful arrangements. Released on March 4, 2022, Things Are Great marks Band of Horses' fifth studio album and their first since 2016's Why Are You OK. This album comes after a period of lineup changes and personal challenges for frontman Ben Bridwell, showcasing a more mature sound that reflects the band's evolving identity.

Who is Things Are Great for?

Things Are Great works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective flow, warm melodies for introspection and hopeful undertones amid melancholy.

How many songs are on Things Are Great?

Things Are Great has 10 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Things Are Great

Band of Horses · 2022

41 min · 10 tracks · indie rock

A reflective blend of melodic indie rock and introspective lyrics, layered with warm instrumentation and thoughtful arrangements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Warning Signs Start here — The opening track sets a reflective tone with its soaring melodies and poignant lyrics about recognizing personal struggles, establishing the album's emotional core.
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In Need of Repair — This song encapsulates the album's theme of vulnerability and healing with its heartfelt lyrics and engaging chorus, highlighting Bridwell's songwriting prowess.
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Ice Night We’re Having — A standout track that juxtaposes vivid imagery with a somber atmosphere, illustrating the complexities of human emotion and connection in times of distress.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album features strong thematic cohesion and layered arrangements, though it doesn't break new ground in its genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, and the following songs maintain a similar pace, creating a consistent mood.
Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, with guitars and keyboards intertwining to create a warm soundscape.
The lyrics often explore personal themes, with each song presenting a narrative that builds on the album's overarching themes of resilience.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo reflective flow
warm melodies for introspection
hopeful undertones amid melancholy
for afternoon listening
engaging narratives throughout album

Maybe skip if you

seek instant gratification tracks
prefer upbeat dance energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality after lineup changes and a long gap since the last album.
Themes: personal struggles· vivid winter imagery· emotional healing
Career context: Released on March 4, 2022, Things Are Great marks Band of Horses' fifth studio album and their first since 2016's Why Are You OK. This album comes after a period of lineup changes and personal challenges for frontman Ben Bridwell, showcasing a more mature sound that reflects the band's evolving identity.
Stylistic neighbors: My Morning Jacket· Fleet Foxes· The Shins

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Tragedy of the Commons

The verse shifts from personal reflection to broader societal commentary, addressing collective struggles while maintaining an intimate tone.

This transition broadens the song's impact, moving from individual experience to shared human conditions, effectively linking personal pain to larger societal issues.