Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

This album is magnificent. Has been one of my favourites for years. Opening with “Is there a ghost?” which quickly sets the tone for the rest of the album. There is a slightly haunting sound established in this song which carries throughout the album.

It is hard to pick out highlights on this album which is incredible all the way through. Each song would have been a “highlight” song on any other album. Other than “Is there a ghost?”, I would have to pick out “No one is gonna love you”, “The General Specific”, “Island on the Coast” and of course the single “Cigarettes and Wedding Bands” as the heavy hitters for this album though “Ode to lrc” and “Detlef Schempf” deserve mentions as well.

This album is a must have. Beautiful and haunting. Full of songs that lift and mellow at the same time, Cease to Begin is very listenable and doesn’t lose its charm with time.