I Just Read About That…

SOUNDTRACK: BAND OF HORSES-Cease to Begin (2008).

Our friends Eugenie and Jarret introduced us to Band of Horses.  We liked the first one so much we couldn’t wait for the release of this follow up.  And it doesn’t disappoint.

The songs are so poppy that it’s shocking to me that they’re not everywhere (of course, I have limited exposure to the world, so maybe they are).

A funny thing is that even though BOH will always be associated with our friends, the song “No One’s Gonna Love You” is now linked with an episode of Chuck (a great resource for music these days).  In a very romantic scene, they used this mostly romantic BOH song. It fit very well, and now the song makes me think of the show.

Cease to Begin isn’t very different from their debut, although overall it is stronger and more complex.  The vocals are a high tenor, something that has become somewhat fashionable lately, and there are times when it’s not always easy to immediately tell BOH apart from say Fleet Foxes or My Morning Jacket, but since I like all those bands that’s okay.

The songs vary through a small sonic palate, from rocking numbers to more subtle, shimmery tracks.  There’s even some humor in the disc, on “The General Specific.”  All the tracks are really good.  I’m very thankful to Eugenie and Jarett for introducing them to me.

[READ: March 26, 2009] “The World of Cheese”

This is a sad but tender story about Breda Morrissey and the strained relations between herself and her husband and herself and her son.  As the story opens, we learn that her son Patrick has called her persona non grata.  All of this stems from her grandson’s upcoming bris.  Clearly, the Morrissey clan is Irish.  But her son has married a Jewish woman, and with the impending birth of their son, the talk of circumcision has raised its head.

But Breda’s reaction wasn’t the problem, well it was more of a lack of reaction.  Patrick was ready for a fight with his wife about the circumcision.  But when Breda didn’t take his side or immediately get upset, it seemed to spark Patrick’s anger even more.  Later, when Patrick agreed to the circumcision, his mother’s continued lack of a meaningful response sent him over the edge.

A flashback shows just how Breda’s life has gotten to this point: her husband’s affair with a German woman (who is “fun” and a great cook); her daughter’s invitation to move near her and then her decision to move away; and now this with her son.

The real-time part of the story takes place with Breda flying in from visiting her son; the passenger next to her is a large complaining woman, which keeps Breda from sleeping.  And then her plane is delayed several hours.  When she finally lands, she asks a stranger if she can share his cab.  When they arrive at the same hotel, Breda convinces herself to knock on his door even though she’d never do anything like that.

I’m saving the end for you to read yourself.

This was my first story by Joseph O’Neill, and I enjoyed it immensely. The title also makes sense once you start reading the story; quite amusing.