OxBlood Records
2008
So this isn't a new record. It's been around for two years or so, but it's new to me. Ghosty kindof fell off of my musical radar in 2006, partially because it seemed like they played fewer and fewer shows. This seems to be a recurring theme as of recently- bands fall off of my radar, and then somehow I stumble upon that new record that was released somewhat recently. I'm pretty sure this is a good thing, because it reminds me of why I liked these bands in the first place. Often times I go back and listen to their older material, and it's totally baller.
Anyways, on to this record. It's full of some pretty great pop songs, with catchy and interesting guitar riffs and some interesting drumming. It's pretty much a build on "Grow Up or Sleep In," except that record was way better. The songs on here have potential, some of them are actually pretty great jams, like "You are a Big Screen" or "Dumbo Wins Again", but it just doesn't have that same charm that the old record did. Maybe it's because I liked the reverb on that song "Big Surrender," or maybe it's because the songs fit together better on the last record. Don't get me wrong, there's some good tunes on "Answers" - but it doesn't seem to fit together as well as "Grow Up or Sleep In." That one song "A Good Customer" is so awful it almost ruins the record for me. The chord progression on that song a) doesn't fit in with the rest of this album and b) really pisses me off. They used to play that song live, and I hated it then.
So yeah, this record isn't a sophomore slump for these guys, but it's not their best work either. It's not like Vampire Weekend's "Contra," which might be the biggest disappointment ever. Maybe they should play more shows here in town, so people are actually interested in their music again. Or maybe they broke up. Who knows what this band is up to these days. I haven't seen a Ghosty show in like 4 years, and I'd like to go to one. I guess that's my main beef with this band- they release this record and I haven't seen any advertisements for shows on Lawrence.com or anything. Then again, this thing came out two years ago. Man, I really am falling behind with my music.
I'm going to give this thing 3 out of 5 steering wheels. It's okay, but nothing really to go raving about.
