There was a time when I wasn’t so critical. I swear. There were times in my youth when the release date for my favorite band’s new CD was like a holiday. No questions asked. It would be a great record. Sort of like when you were certain that there was not a Santa Clause, yet you kept pretending that there was because you didn’t want the gifts to dwindle. After Appetite For Destruction, Guns N’ Roses could have recorded themselves shitting on their instruments and they would have remained my favorite band.
To be honest, it still feels like a holiday when a band I really like releases a new record, only now, nervousness accompanies the excitement. Sort of like when you receive a gift from your significant other’s parents and you’re sure you’re not going to like it, but you know you have to.
Seattle’s Band of Horses debut album, Everything All the Time, was a gem. The kind of record you match with memories and moments. The kind of record that someone will put on at a party in ten years and you’ll think, “Awwwww, yea. I forgot about this one.” And it will slide back into regular rotation on your ibrainchip or whatever new Apple product we’ll be listening to music on in ten years.
The beauty of this record created deservedly high expectations for their sophomore effort.
The follow-up is out now. It is titled Cease to Begin, and it is an album that offers much of what Everything did, fine melodies, thoughtful lyrics and a country tinge that compliments singer Ben Bridwell’s vocals perfectly.
The record opens with the first single “Is There a Ghost”. An eerie track that starts with steady guitar picking before we hear Bridwell’s vocals slip in, “I could sleep, I could sleep/when I lived alone/Is there a ghost in my house”, and then more guitars follow. Although lyrically the track repeats that line only, the song holds your attention due to its strong melody.
On the catchy “No One’s Gonna Love You”, we are introduced to a failing relationship that the lovers will not let go. “If things start splittin at the seams and now/it’s tumbling down hard/No one is ever gonna love you more than I do.” This is a track that immediately tugs on your heartstrings. If you’re making a mix for your boyfriend or girlfriend, add this song.
The album is full of tunes like this –catchy and romantic – tracks that will no doubt bring the Horses to the next level. However, there is something different about Cease to Begin in comparison to its predecessor.
The gritty edge of Everything All the Time is replaced with smart production and more of a pop feel. Cease to Begin is just a tad watered down. It feels clean and pretty instead of raw and rugged. After one listen you will be very happy, but as you delve deeper you will notice that it’s not a “grower” like the debut. Everything was an album that never seemed to wear out. Cease will for certain.
On this record the band comes close to the debut, but falls short.
The countrified song “The General Specific” is one of the few tracks that could have found it’s way on to either record. It’s a fresh sing along sounding track full with handclaps and a bouncing piano. This track is a hint of how good this record could have been.
Cease to Begin is the kind of album that - in my less critical days - I would have loved. I would have unwrapped the jewel case, laid on my bed, pressed play and been very happy. But today as critical as I am, this is the kind of album that I think is – well – just good.
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