by Peter J. D'Angelo
Nestled between the emotionally terse 30 Degrees Everywhere and the pop explosion of Nothing Feels Good, this singles and unreleased songs compilation sees the Promise Ring in a number of different musical phases. The earliest material on the record, including &Watertown Plank& and the emo classic &A Picture Postcard,& showcase the raw origins of the band and their early tendencies to couple meandering guitar notes with unbridled and distorted rock. &E. Texas Ave.,& a fan favorite from the group's split 7& with Texas Is the Reason, is also a noteworthy inclusion, not to mention the toughest song the band has ever recorded. There are a few dawdling tracks on the record that don't do much of anything, but on the whole, this is a fine collection that clearly illustrates how this band came to reach their indie pop hitmaker status. There's a strong sense of melody that often surfaces from the tracks, and the closing horn bop of &I Never Trusted the Russians& is a clear indicator of where the band would take their sound in the period that followed this album. A must for the group's fans, The Horse Latitudes is also a pretty good listen for anyone looking for solid emotional rock that is just as good at keeping quiet as it is at blasting out the speakers.