Cease To Begin
by Band of Horses
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Oct 9, 2007
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 48
  3. Negative: 1 out of 48

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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
  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.
  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 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
  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.
  5. JoseG.
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    As much as I liked "Everything All The Time", "Cease to Begin" is even better. Highly recommended.
  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 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
  7. calebr.
    Oct 23, 2007
    9
    Just as great as the first.
  8. jyo_tirmaya
    Aug 3, 2013
    9
    I saw this band at Lollapalooza yesterday and was so impressed with his voice and charm and the downright quality of the music. In this day when young people are listening to EDM (Electronic Dance Music) I am so glad that there are bands like this who are humans singing into a mike and real instruments, guitars, keyboards and drums playing in the background.
  9. ryanpoling
    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.
  10. BrandoHoover
    Aug 4, 2015
    10
    One of the very few albums where I like every single song on the album. Even most of my favorite albums have songs I don't like- this album is not one of those.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. AllMusic
    80
    A sophisticated, mature, and altogether superior follow-up.
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  2. Amazon.com
    80
    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.
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  3. Billboard
    60
    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.
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