CEASE TO BEGIN - BAND OF HORSES
Judging by “Is There a Ghost,” the soaring, turbulent wash of guitars and reverb-laden vocals that open “Cease to Begin,” Band of Horses is aiming for the sky on its sophomore Sub Pop effort. There are additional moments of stoner-friendly guitar heroics, particularly the stirring, circular riffs propelling the early U2-ish “Islands on the Coast” and “Cigarettes, Wedding Bands.” Elsewhere, twangy toe-tappers like “Ode to IRC” and “The General Specific” help the band sustain momentum and differentiate itself from such groups as My Morning Jacket, which Band of Horses tends to resemble. “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.
