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ESSENTIAL NEW MUSIC

Essential New Music: Horse Thief’s “Trials And Truths”

In the ’70s, a crafty pair of neuro-linguistic programmers borrowed the idea of “stacking realities” from hypnotherapist Milton Erickson. That concept is where the therapist layers multiple suggestions on top of one another when telling a single story; by linking together so many disparate ideas, the subjects’ defenses are disarmed by confusion, ultimately sending them into deeper trance states. Such subtle trance inductions can also be found on Trials And Truths. Led by sonic architect Cameron Neal, Horse Thief stacks tasty little psychedelic realities high and wide, until suddenly, infectious melodies are deep under your skin. These Oklahoma guys are smart, stylish and endorsed by the Flaming Lips. Aided and abetted by empathic producer Thom Monahan, Horse Thief is a dynamic purveyor of hook and harmony-laden psych rock. Magical tracks like “Another Youth,” “Drowsy” and “Little One” should turn you into a believer.

—Mitch Myers