The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse

Jace Lasek’s Montreal-based group – here featuring moonlighting members of The Dears and Godspeed You! Black Emperor – mix loud, reverb-heavy guitars, grandiose orchestration and prog-rock soundscapes with Beach Boys harmonies.

Trying to incorporate all these disparate elements is a bold move, but Lasek’s ambition has resulted in an amazing album: songs such as “Disaster” are as beautiful as they are dark and disturbing.

Best of all, “For Agent 13” sounds like Galaxie 500’s 1989 masterpiece On Fire would have, had Galaxie 500 hailed from Twin Peaks rather than Boston.

NATHANIEL CRAMP