'The General Specific,' Band of Horses
From 2007's 'Cease to Begin'

I'm a lyrics girl; I prefer a clever turn of phrase to a clever hook. Sure, sound is important but it's secondary to me. To that end, the perfection of 'The General Specific' are the lines, thanks to their rambling, open-ended wistfulness. Whatever sadness, confusion, heartache, anger and romance you have in your life, one of these lyrics will punch you -- and hard -- right in the neck. While you're gasping, trying to catch your breath, you'll marvel at how utterly jubilant these guys sound when singing about sadness and confusion. And maybe then you'll notice how clear and clever their sound is, too. At least, that's how it went for me.

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