I’ll admit, I’m not always the best at listening to a band, falling in love with a band, and knowing in my gut that they’ll get huge. My tastes aren’t always in line with the masses in America. But sometimes I’ll listen to a record and know in my heart a band’s gonna be huge. Such is the case with Seattle’s Band of Horses. Comprising ex members of Carissa’s Wierd and the New Mexicans, the band doesn’t sound much like either. I just got the promo for their upcoming Sub Pop release (out in March) and it’s fucking amazing. A little bit of the Shins’ ebullient pop, a bit of My Morning Jacket’s celestial magic—and all the melodies, the harmonies, the flickers of cosmic country, it’s all so gorgeous. I’m so thrilled that these guys are playing the Stranger Holiday Bash this Friday at the Showbox, but I’m even more thrilled to hear what I feel to be the kinda band that’ll keep people talking about Seattle nationally, as we’re lucky to have such a rich music scene that includes bands like these guys.