Kevin Bronson on May 5th, 2011

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Australian two-piece An Horse blasted its way onto our Top 20 list in 2009 with “Rearrange Beds,” a collection of rockers that were part punk, part pop and all exposed nerves. Kate Cooper and Damon Cox are back with “Walls,” just out on Mom & Pop Records, showing no signs of dialing down the volume or emotional intensity. Recorded in Vancouver with Howard Redekopp (who’s worked with Tegan & Sara and the New Pornographers), “Walls” again demonstrated An Horse’s strongest quality: that no matter what (or how many) ingredients you put into the sonic stew, it’s best to start with a base of honesty. The first single “Dressed Sharply” crackles behind Cooper’s nifty lyrics. C’mon, shake your head.

||| Live: An Horse plays May 28 at the Wire in Upland and June 9 at the Satellite.

||| Previously: The video for “Postcards;” the download; a live review.