Cease to Begin

If you haven't yet discovered Band of Horses and are in the mood for soulful, original American music with more artistic credence than the pop on your top 40 radio station, you need to listen to Band of Horses' sophomore album "Cease to Begin."

When Band of Horses released their first album "Everything All the Time," it was met with positive response but they risked being forever compared to other Americana bands such as My Morning Jacket. In the time passed since it's release, Band of Horses has endured a string of shake-ups and emerged with a record solidifying their abilities.

After co-founder Mat Broke left the band, they relocated from Seattle to South Carolina and closer to their roots. Their change of scenery is apparent in their sound, hints of Southern folk are laced throughout the album. While still more indie rock than folk, Ben Birdwell's distinct haunting voice carries Southern twang in his wide vocal range.

Themes of ghosts spook throughout the entire album. On "Is there a Ghost," the climactic opener Birdwell metaphorically bellows of love separation pains by wondering if a ghost is responsible for his insomnia.

Slightly sappy love woes are found on the majority of tracks on the album, however somehow the melodies come together with the words to make the sappiness more than bearable; rather touching and enjoyable. On "Detlef Schrempf" he sings longingly "Eyes can't look at you any other way/any other way." "Marry Song," a lovely hymnal filled with a beautiful tragic sadness is capable of invoking tears.

With the move to South Carolina Band of Horses moved closer to their family, and closer to finding their soul. While it is evident the Southern rockers are still young and searching for their perfect niche, "Cease to Begin" is certainly worth a listen and Band of Horses are a band with enough promise to continue to follow.