Cease To Begin - Band Of Horses
User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 34
  2. Negative: 1 out of 34

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  1. NickA
    Oct 19, 2007
    2
    I don't like talking trash, but this album is simply not very good. i would say: over-produced and uninspired fare
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. OlavJ
    Oct 30, 2007
    8
    As mentioned before, the tracks could have been longer but still, I think Cease To Begin is a worthy record and a nice follow up to their previous.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. GarthE
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    An excellent 2nd effort from a solid seminal alt-rock band(of horses..ha). "Is There a Ghost" and "Ode to the LRC" are the albums definitive rockers being the first 2 tracks. Tracks 3/4 bring a mellowing of the album to slight pop with beautiful guitar work. Later into the album with a week track 5 the album takes a turn for a southern blues feel. Just an excellent album. No loss with an earlier founding member (guitarist) going off in a different direction and a move from Seattle to the Carolina's. A standard for top 10 of the year, sophmore #1 of the year. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. PatrickD.
    Oct 17, 2007
    7
    a lot like the first record, so how you felt about that one will determine how much you will like cease to begin. its mildly likable twee music thats suitable in doses, but i am not so sure its tolerable in the long run.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. JoseG.
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    As much as I liked "Everything All The Time", "Cease to Begin" is even better. Highly recommended.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. PaulF
    Oct 22, 2007
    8
    Cease to Begin is a solid record. It doesn't have the epic songs from their first album, but it does have a warmth that runs through it. Its more cohesive, but also a shorter listen. Some of the songs seem rushed to get to the end. It would have been interesting to see this band distance themselves from the 3to4 minute song format... Songs like Is There A Ghost and No One's Gonna Love You could have been longer, which would have benefited the songs. You know this band, if they chose to, could write beautiful 8, 10, 12 minute masterpieces if they wanted to. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. calebr.
    Oct 23, 2007
    9
    Just as great as the first.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. Oct 6, 2010
    9
    This is a rare feat for a sophomore album. The sound's the same, but that's a good thing. Is There A Ghost, Ode To LRC, and No One's Gonna Love You are through fantastic songs that hold the album up, and while the rest aren't fantastic, they're better than filler. All-in-all, this is a very good album and a worthwhile listen. No One's Gonna Love You is one of my all-time favourite songs.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. A sophisticated, mature, and altogether superior follow-up.
  2. Cease punctuates its magnitude among Sub Pop's top-drawer power elite (The Shins and Iron & Wine), asserting this Band of Horses' fast-rising run for the roses.
  3. Cease falters when it dips into mediocre balladry ('Detlef Schrempf,' 'Marry Song'), and at a scant 35 minutes, the album at times hints at greatness but ultimately leaves you wanting more.