Radio friendly "No One's Gonna Love You" mixes guitar delay effects with a straightforward drum beat and reflects a positive outlook of love in the lyrics: "Anything to make you smile / it is a better sight / of you to admire." The laid back "Detlef Schrempf" continues the ambience of the previous songs, lulling you along in a beautiful way.

But then the album shifts gears with "The General Specific," bringing in Band of Horses' alt-country influences. At first listen, the song doesn't fit; it's as if you are driving through the city when suddenly you're surrounded by cornfields and realize you're completely lost. The quick departure is a nice change of pace, and it seems to work, even if it cuts through an otherwise uniform sound. Other than the fast-moving, tap solo riddled "Island on the Coast," Cease to Begin takes us right to the edge of the Mason-Dixonline.

Bridwell even lets his vocals relax a bit and pick up that country twang on "Marry Song," a lovable song where Bridwell sings: "It's been awful hard to just stand on my feet / I think I'll slow down if I'm able." The song suggests a change of pace, and the album ends with three great Alt-Country songs: "Marry Song," "Cigarettes, Wedding Bands," and "Window Blues."

Although Band of Horses manages to mix to seemingly opposing styles of music,
Cease to Begin pulls it off majestically.

But it might not be for everyone; if you're the type who can't fathom a slide guitar and a twangy vocal style on a Sub Pop record, you may want to skip a few of the tracks. Yet
Cease to Begin is certainly an album that stands out amongst the Sub Pop legends, and won't be heading for any discount bins any time soon.