Cease to Begin is the second album by Band of Horses, released on October 9, 2007. This album solidified the band's sound and was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number 35 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The singles "Is There a Ghost" and "No One's Gonna Love You" appear on the album.

History Following the release of their debut album, Everything All the Time, founding members Mat Brooke, Chris Early and Tim Meinig all left the band. Band leader Ben Bridwell recruited Joe Arnone (guitar and keyboards), Creighton Barrett (drums) and Rob Hampton (bass and guitar) as replacements, although Joe Arnone left the band prior to their 2007 tour. Robin Peringer (Modest Mouse - guitar), Matt Gentling (Archers of Loaf - bass) and Ryan Monroe (keyboards) joined the band for the tour, although only Monroe stayed for the recording of Cease to Begin. After the album's release he became a full band member.

The album debuted at number 35 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and was No. 47 on Rolling Stone's list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007.Guide to the Misguided Stereogum - December 17, 2007 It was also a minor hit in Scandinavia, charting in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Cease to Begin was released in Japan on July 23, 2008, by Tear Bridge Records. The Japanese version featured an enhanced video for "Is There a Ghost" plus three live bonus tracks, including a cover of Ronnie Wood's "Act Together", written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, which he recorded for his album, I've Got My Own Album to Do.

Ben Bridwell described the sound of Cease to Begin, "I guess the first record had some kind of country-ish leanings...I think there's maybe a little bit more of [that] feeling on it, a little more down-home...not so much indie rock."The Return of Band of Horses - Cease to Begin eachnotesecure.com - July 20, 2007

The first track, "Is There a Ghost", was made available for download on the band's MySpace page on August 28, 2007, and made number 93 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. rocklist.net The song became the band's first single to chart in the United States, peaking at No. 34 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.Band Of Horses - Is There A Ghost Allmusic The album's second single "No One's Gonna Love You" was featured as a free iTunes download, distributed at Starbucks locations. While not being released as a single, "Cigarettes, Wedding Bands" was featured in the tracklist of 2009 video game Guitar Hero 5.

Track listing

Track 4 is named after the German basketball player Detlef Schrempf who played for Seattle SuperSonics in the 1990s, although no mention of him is made in the song's lyrics.Tacopino, Joe "Southern Comfort: An Interview with Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell" PopMatters - November 8, 2007

Album credits Band of Horses Ben Bridwell – lead vocals, guitar Rob Hampton – guitar, bass guitar Creighton Barrett – drums

Additional musicians Ryan Monroe – keyboards

Technical personnel Phil Ek – producer, engineer, mixer Jon Ashley – assistant engineer Julian Dreyer – assistant engineer Cameron Nicklaus – assistant engineer Dusty Summers – design Christopher Wilson – photography

Singles "Is There a Ghost" (August 28, 2007) "No One's Gonna Love You" (February 25, 2008)

Chart performance ChartPeakUS Billboard 200 35 Band of Horses > Chart History > Billboard Albums AllmusicUK Albums Chart 148 "1994–2010 > Darren B – David Byrne" Chart Log UK (Zobbel)Danish Albums Chart 23 Cease to Begin Ultratop entry - UltratopFrench Albums Chart 199 Norwegian Albums Chart 18 Swedish Albums Chart 57

Reception

Cease to Begin received a 78/100 rating on MetacriticCease to Begin Metacritic entry Metacritic and appeared on many "Best of 2007" lists: Austin Chronicle, Doug Freeman, No. 1 album of 2007 Delusions of Adequacy, No. 9 album of 2007 Filter Magazine, No. 2 album of 2007 The A.V. Club, No. 5 album of 2007 Paste Magazine, No. 9 album of 2007 Consequence of Sound, No. 39 album of 2007

Cover versions Cee-Lo Green has recorded a cover of "No One's Gonna Love You" for his 2010 album The Lady Killer.Larry Fitzmaurice, "Cee-Lo Covers Band of Horses' No One's Gonna Love You" Pitchfork - July 1, 2010 Renee Fleming has recorded a cover of "No One's Gonna Love You" for her 2010 album Dark Hope.

Certifications

References