Matt 1Please Tell Me You Bought This Album in 2007 (Part 3 of 10): Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
January 16th 2008 01:33
Cease to Begin is as solid a sophomore release as you could hear in 2007. Anyone who heard Band of Horses' debut Everything All the Time won't be too surprised upon hearing the follow-up. It's very similar musically, tackling similar arrangements and a delightful collection of melodies.
After disposing of previous band-mates, there was a fear amongst some fans that the charming band from Seattle would implode on their second effort. There was also a concern that not enough time had gone by between the albums, so the new material may have been rushed or sub-par in quality. Fear not my fellow indie friends.
Ben Bridwell's voice is as gorgeous as ever. The talented front-man takes you to another world on the glowing "Detlef Schrempf", the delicate "No One's Gonna Love You" and the country-tinged "Marry Song". "Detlef Schrempf", named for the German NBA Basketballer who played much of his career in Seattle - BOH's hometown - is a most unusual choice of title but the song is majestic. "No One's Gonna Love You" is the closest this album comes to replicating "Funeral", the beautiful Track 3 on the first album. "General Specific" is a little clap-along ditty reminiscient of a simple knockabout lifestyle craved by us all. "Is There A Ghost" provides a mysterious, repetitive beginning to the album, with Track 7's "Islands on the Coast" a highlight for its up-tempo kick. Its kick is made all the more enjoyable because of the build-up garnered by forerunner instrumental song "Lamb on the Lam (In the City)". It is not a cliched interlude but rather an unexpected but wonderful flow-on track. "Ode to lrc" smacks of Neil Young-influence at times, with its soft-loud clash evoking grunge via country, in a good, modern way.
In only ten songs, Bridwell and his new colleagues appear able to do it all, and do it all well. The blend of songs that he has here sit nicely alongside the celebrated Everything All the Time album giving his current crop of stallions an excellent catalogue of songs.
By sticking to a similar formula, Band of Horses have duplicated the same result. That these guys are not headlining more shows is the only question mark hanging over this charming group - oh, and the reason for naming a song about a German NBA basketballer.
The Critic's Choice = "General Specific"
After disposing of previous band-mates, there was a fear amongst some fans that the charming band from Seattle would implode on their second effort. There was also a concern that not enough time had gone by between the albums, so the new material may have been rushed or sub-par in quality. Fear not my fellow indie friends.
Ben Bridwell's voice is as gorgeous as ever. The talented front-man takes you to another world on the glowing "Detlef Schrempf", the delicate "No One's Gonna Love You" and the country-tinged "Marry Song". "Detlef Schrempf", named for the German NBA Basketballer who played much of his career in Seattle - BOH's hometown - is a most unusual choice of title but the song is majestic. "No One's Gonna Love You" is the closest this album comes to replicating "Funeral", the beautiful Track 3 on the first album. "General Specific" is a little clap-along ditty reminiscient of a simple knockabout lifestyle craved by us all. "Is There A Ghost" provides a mysterious, repetitive beginning to the album, with Track 7's "Islands on the Coast" a highlight for its up-tempo kick. Its kick is made all the more enjoyable because of the build-up garnered by forerunner instrumental song "Lamb on the Lam (In the City)". It is not a cliched interlude but rather an unexpected but wonderful flow-on track. "Ode to lrc" smacks of Neil Young-influence at times, with its soft-loud clash evoking grunge via country, in a good, modern way.
In only ten songs, Bridwell and his new colleagues appear able to do it all, and do it all well. The blend of songs that he has here sit nicely alongside the celebrated Everything All the Time album giving his current crop of stallions an excellent catalogue of songs.
By sticking to a similar formula, Band of Horses have duplicated the same result. That these guys are not headlining more shows is the only question mark hanging over this charming group - oh, and the reason for naming a song about a German NBA basketballer.
The Critic's Choice = "General Specific"
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