Cease to Begin was the first I’d ever heard from Band of Horses (heard of them, as the excuse goes), and the problem with slavish indulgence of any album without reference to previous or subsequent efforts is that you’re surprised to find that the others don’t sound exactly like the one you first fell for (fill in relationship analogy here). Preference is one thing, but BOH debut Everything All the Time played like a tribute to the who’s who of indie (some songs I swore featured guest appearances by Jim James, Sufjan Stevens, or Great Lake Swimmers). Cease, on the other hand, is a superlative follow-up that expands on the moments in Everything that were uniquely BOH; it also puts them high in the running for feature in the next Volkswagen commercial.
Take, for starters, the outstanding opener ‘Is There a Ghost’: writers of a lesser ilk would be tempted to force more lyrics into the memorable and boisterous melody, but Ben Bridwell leaves the strange haiku alone – this is good. Keep this song away from English teachers because the mixed-tense lyrics, “When I lived alone, is there a ghost in my house?” are bound to send them into fits of rage, but it’s nonsense verse that isn’t so obtuse as to beg for attention.
Every instrument is distinct and emphasized, especially in dulcet numbers like the Fender Rhodes-heavy ‘Detlef Schrempf’ (which has nothing, far as I can tell, whatsoever to do with the former Indiana Pacer) but also smash-ups like ‘Marry Song’. In a comfortable progression, but not necessarily predictable order, Cease ranges from thoughtful country-tinged flavor to ebullient garage rock, and if it not entirely new it is certainly a smart revision of existing conventions.
If bands have lately been skimping on closing their albums well, Band of Horses makes a timely exit. The album, just over a half-hour long, bows out over four tracks from the strategically-brilliant instrumental ‘Islands on the Coast’ (almost unnoticeable by itself, but vital to the progression of the album’s coda) to a pair of aggressive marauders, topped off with the reflective, road-weary ‘Window Blues’.
There is also enough optimism to fuel a rally; the disc, it should be noted, will not serve as good break-up or crisis music, so approach this only if your life is in relatively good order.
Sub Pop
Oct. 9, 2007
9/10
4 Comments »
Wow. I saw Band of Horses open for Modest Mouse. I was astonished at their complete mediocrity but thought they were okay. Never would have expected such a good review. Neither would the hipster at that show who never gave them a chance as the band dedicated their set to their little league coach. Ah well.
i remember first hearing this band. at first i thought they were pretty good, but then i realized i’d been swindled, b/c they are in fact very very boring after listen 3.
I like this band’s modesty and their terseness, but yeah I fear they’re lacking for staying power. But they do name their songs well, eh Sam?
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Comment by Sam E. — September 25, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
Reference or no, “Detlef Schrempf” is a beautiful title.
And I like this review. I think I’ll give this album a listen.