I listened to Falcon’s self-released album, Disappear, one morning while puttering around. I couldn’t see my computer as the tracks played, and more than once, I thought I had left my iTunes on shuffle. I heard songs that sounded like Placebo, Arcade Fire, MGMT and Ratatat. But here’s the rub: Falcon’s songs were written well before any of those bands even existed.

Neil Rosen (vocals, guitar) and Shannon Ferguson (lead guitar) formed Falcon in 2004. The inspiration behind the name, and the songs, is their junior high classmate Jared Falcon. Jared was institutionalized at 13, and left behind cassette tapes in a storage locker. Rosen and Ferguson took Jared’s work and brought it to life with the Eponymous EP in 2008 and now, Disappear.

As I said before, I heard elements that have shown up in some of my favorite bands’ work over the years. This means that Jared Falcon was way ahead of his time. It’s both a shame and a blessing that he was institutionalized, I guess.

The opening track “Say Goodbye” is deceptively simple. Each time I listen, the meaning and feeling deepens. It’s angsty without being sappy and intense without being angry. I like the way it teeters on the brink of explosion throughout the song. It’s meant to be anxious.

“Terrified (Happy Days Are Ahead)” is great because the somewhat fearful lyrics are delivered tenderly by Rosen. Sweet guitar strums and snare drums accompany him to make the song a march-like anthem to trepidation.

The title track “Disappear” is heartbreaking and beautiful. It’s obvious that Jared Falcon’s outlet for pain was his songwriting. I love the sparse instruments and backing vocals on this song.

I also loved “What Do You Know.” Rosen’s reproachful delivery of the chorus interacts beautifully with his apologetic verses. It’s as if he’s struggling with what others think against what he thinks, and the song ends undecided. I like that a lot.

“Elves” was also a standout track for me. The whistling intro got my attention and the quirky lyrics kept it. Here’s a video I found of Falcon performing “Elves” in front of St. George’s Episcopal Church in New York City.

The story of this album/band is amazing and I think the guys from Falcon have done justice to their friend’s material. My only question is: Where is Jared Falcon?

Falcon doesn’t have any upcoming shows as of yet, but get their album here.