Observing the Ghost
The guys over in Coffee Jingle Records were good enough to send us through details of Observing The Ghost, a Portsmouth based progressive-atmospheric-psychadelic-alternative-stadium rock-post rock-power pop unit (errr…..think they’ve covered most things there…) who have made it their mission to take over the world with their sounds. Formed in 2011, the guys have been working hard, touring their music and trying to get as much attention as possible, so I figured the least we could do was to check the tracks out to see what we thought!
Opening with And Now We Are Shadows things get off to an atmospheric style, immediately building into a sound which is accessible, easy to listen to, and suggests that there’s more to these guys than first meets the eye. Soft and melodic at times, yet deep and powerful at others, this is a track which packs a surprise, moving from slow and out there to more upbeat and powerful, all the time keeping the sense of melody in the forefront and allowing the listener to fully embrace what they've got going on. Listening to this track, it’s almost possible to understand why they’ve tagged themselves under so many genres, as simply this doesn't fit into one individual genre, instead roving between different approaches and allowing the listener to make up their own mind about what it is that they’re hearing. 3 Years continues this approach, once again opening in an atmospheric style and allowing the track to build naturally around you. There’s a seriously technical edge to the music on offer here, opting out of doing things simply, and instead using their tracks to get their message across, showing what can happen when a band understands their instruments and how to craft songs. Bass heavy and melodic once again, this is another track which shows off a band with some serious skill, and we’re only on the second track.
Angles & Opinions marks a slight change in things, this time opening with an upbeat and melodic feel to things, allowing you to listen and embrace the sound which envelops you and urges you to listen. Refusing to follow convention, this track seems to hold an almost indie style, harking back to the brit pop stuff of the 90’s but with an updated and fresh approach to things, showing off the ability of a band who use their influences to inspire them, rather than simply copying someone else. Throwing in a chorus which is sure to get people singing along, this track is a serious high point on the EP, and one which I know I want to see live if I get the chance. Heaven Is Sleeping marks a definite change to things, moving from the soft and melodic approach and showing off a heavier side to the band, showing that sometimes, when the moment requires it, distortion fits with atmospheric style stuff. Launching us into a track which opens like an Angels and Airwaves track, the heavy undertones of this track show off the heavy side of things, get you involved, and once again suggest that this is going to be one to check out on the live scene. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the EP, it’s got the right mixture of heavy and soft, and works to craft something pretty damned special, a track to check out for sure.
Rebirth In Reflections comes up as the final track on the EP, closing in an atmospheric style and leaving the EP on an out there note, leaving us wanting more but at the same time, feeling satisfied with what we’ve just heard. The final moments of this EP bring things full circle, closing with a track which shows off the different outlooks of the band once again, and finishing with a feeling of soft contentment, the sort of satisfying feeling you get when you lie down after a hard day on your feet. It’s a class finish to a solid EP, leaving me wondering why I’ve not come across Observing The Ghost before!
I’ve been blown away by the EP on offer here as simply, it shows off the skills of a band that understand their music, their songs, and how they can work to craft songs which will hook people in from start to finish. This isn’t the heaviest EP in the world, nor the most accomplished, but what it is is something which will stop you what ever you’re doing and get you to listen- and surely that’s the point!
To find out more about Observing The Ghost, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with And Now We Are Shadows things get off to an atmospheric style, immediately building into a sound which is accessible, easy to listen to, and suggests that there’s more to these guys than first meets the eye. Soft and melodic at times, yet deep and powerful at others, this is a track which packs a surprise, moving from slow and out there to more upbeat and powerful, all the time keeping the sense of melody in the forefront and allowing the listener to fully embrace what they've got going on. Listening to this track, it’s almost possible to understand why they’ve tagged themselves under so many genres, as simply this doesn't fit into one individual genre, instead roving between different approaches and allowing the listener to make up their own mind about what it is that they’re hearing. 3 Years continues this approach, once again opening in an atmospheric style and allowing the track to build naturally around you. There’s a seriously technical edge to the music on offer here, opting out of doing things simply, and instead using their tracks to get their message across, showing what can happen when a band understands their instruments and how to craft songs. Bass heavy and melodic once again, this is another track which shows off a band with some serious skill, and we’re only on the second track.
Angles & Opinions marks a slight change in things, this time opening with an upbeat and melodic feel to things, allowing you to listen and embrace the sound which envelops you and urges you to listen. Refusing to follow convention, this track seems to hold an almost indie style, harking back to the brit pop stuff of the 90’s but with an updated and fresh approach to things, showing off the ability of a band who use their influences to inspire them, rather than simply copying someone else. Throwing in a chorus which is sure to get people singing along, this track is a serious high point on the EP, and one which I know I want to see live if I get the chance. Heaven Is Sleeping marks a definite change to things, moving from the soft and melodic approach and showing off a heavier side to the band, showing that sometimes, when the moment requires it, distortion fits with atmospheric style stuff. Launching us into a track which opens like an Angels and Airwaves track, the heavy undertones of this track show off the heavy side of things, get you involved, and once again suggest that this is going to be one to check out on the live scene. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the EP, it’s got the right mixture of heavy and soft, and works to craft something pretty damned special, a track to check out for sure.
Rebirth In Reflections comes up as the final track on the EP, closing in an atmospheric style and leaving the EP on an out there note, leaving us wanting more but at the same time, feeling satisfied with what we’ve just heard. The final moments of this EP bring things full circle, closing with a track which shows off the different outlooks of the band once again, and finishing with a feeling of soft contentment, the sort of satisfying feeling you get when you lie down after a hard day on your feet. It’s a class finish to a solid EP, leaving me wondering why I’ve not come across Observing The Ghost before!
I’ve been blown away by the EP on offer here as simply, it shows off the skills of a band that understand their music, their songs, and how they can work to craft songs which will hook people in from start to finish. This isn’t the heaviest EP in the world, nor the most accomplished, but what it is is something which will stop you what ever you’re doing and get you to listen- and surely that’s the point!
To find out more about Observing The Ghost, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls