Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Reviewed by mike
Rustic and isolated, the sophomore release from Band of Horses drifts purposely from porch to porch like a friendly neighbor. A return from Seattle to their native South Carolina was clearly top of mind, as they've matured eons since their excellent debut, Everything all the Time. Ben Bridwell steps up his writing to almost folktale precision, weaving tales of small-town romance that are simultaneously hopeful and haunting through woodsy, reverb-tinged vocals. Serene and mellow while able to rock as hard as My Morning Jacket, the band effortlessly switches from the sweeping guitars and Southern-inspired rock of "Ode to LRC," to the foot-stomping backwoods folk of "The General Specific," to the sleepy country of "Marry Song" without losing their fire. Wherever they are, the water is swampy — let's hope Band of Horses keep drinking it. [www.bandofhorses.com]