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Band Of Horses: Cease To Begin

17th October 2007 | by Ross Riley

Last year you may well have struggled to find a music fan that was not giving effusive praise to the debut album from Band Of Horses.

The album which featured near the summit of most of the best of 2006 polls was a shining beacon of quality musicianship from a band that weren't afraid of drifting into new songwriting territory.

It seems that there has been a slight trend this year for slightly disappointing follow-up albums, Band of Horses are unfortunately set to blend in with this crowd though not without putting up a small modicum of resistance. 'Cease To Begin' is in places an equal to its predecessor - the first three tracks 'Is There a Ghost', 'Ode to LRC' and 'No One's Gonna Love You' make for a spectacular introduction.

'No One's Gonna Love You' is a particular highlight, a simmering, beautiful song that documents disintegrating relationships perfectly.

You will be hit with a slight counter-punch, the following track 'Detlef Schrempf' and later in the album 'Marry Song' meander along far too closely to album filler material - both are good b-sides but should not have made it to the final cut.

The album also feels a little on the short side at less than 35 minutes especially for Band of Horses whose rich expansive sound would benefit from being left on a longer leash.

Close in places, certainly no gold plated cigar but at the same time 'Cease To Begin' is an enjoyable and in places brilliant album. Whilst it doesn't match up to the quality of its predecessor that certainly shouldn't dissuade further listening.

Rating:  7 / 10