Any band that can say it features 3 members of Echo & The Bunnymen has to be worth a look into, so when I was sent through a link to Poltergeist, a band that makes such a claim, I was interested to see what was going on. According to founding member Will Sergeant (from Echo & The Bunnymen), “Poltergeist was formed in my head as a schoolboy in the 70’s…I would dream of being Jimmy Page or some other rock god I had become aware of”, showing the degree of planning, as well as the influences, that have led to the creation of the record we see before us now in the form of Your Mind Is A Box (Let Us Fill It With Wonder) – so what of the music?
From the off it’s clear that this is a well thought out and carefully planned record, with Cathedral leading us into things and immediately creating an ambient sense of calm around you. Dark and mysterious as it grows, the mix on offer here is one that will permeate into the inner realms of your mind, keeping you intrigued as to what’s going to follow whilst managing to envelop you in a sense of almost new wave calm. Much the same mix greets us with title track Your Mind Is A Box (Let Us Fill It With Wonder), once again offering up a jumpy yet restrained mixture of atmospheric elements and serene calm before once again, ushering in the more rock orientated spectrum. Managing to combine the two with aplomb, the mix here isn’t simple or straight forward, and is instead something that’s sure to keep you wondering how it’s going to progress – keeping surprise after surprise flowing.
Reverting to an almost 70’s feeling of calm for the opening moments of Dream Dreams Of Spectrums, there’s a further shift in the style on offer here, showing that simplicity isn’t something that Poltergeist are even capable of considering. Building on the pace and depth of the track as it grows, the feeling transforms from that calm approach to a much more in your face, guitar led style track, using the lead line as a focal point whilst allowing the rhythms to permeate further through the mix, deepening as it progresses. Achieving the high point of the album (in my eyes) with First Signs Of The Plague, the calm and out there approach seems to fit perfectly finally, offering up a track that doesn’t push boundaries or attempt to confuse the listener, instead luring them into a calming realm where all that matters is the music and the feeling it creates. If you’re looking for an insight into what you’re in for with this record then in my opinion, this is the perfect track, showcasing what the band are capable of and standing out as holding some serious single potential.
Dawn Visits The Garden Of Evil, Psychic Warfare and The Book Of Pleasures all continue to offer up the uniquely styled approach from Poltergeist, until we eventually reach the closing moments of Lune Deeps, bringing the record to a close and leaving you satisfied at what you’re heard. The final moments here do as they should, almost summarising where you’ve come from and where you now are, and leaving you wondering if a follow up will be possible given the complexities on offer – securing the record a slot amongst the albums you must here before you die.
It’s taken me a while to work out Poltergeist, as quite simply their style is so unique, but it works. From start to finish here you’ve got a record that is going to keep you interested, keep you listening, and keep you guessing as to what’s going to happen next time – definitely one that takes a few listens to fully embrace.
To find out more about Poltergeist, check them out on Facebook HERE. And their website HERE
Words: Dave Nicholls
From the off it’s clear that this is a well thought out and carefully planned record, with Cathedral leading us into things and immediately creating an ambient sense of calm around you. Dark and mysterious as it grows, the mix on offer here is one that will permeate into the inner realms of your mind, keeping you intrigued as to what’s going to follow whilst managing to envelop you in a sense of almost new wave calm. Much the same mix greets us with title track Your Mind Is A Box (Let Us Fill It With Wonder), once again offering up a jumpy yet restrained mixture of atmospheric elements and serene calm before once again, ushering in the more rock orientated spectrum. Managing to combine the two with aplomb, the mix here isn’t simple or straight forward, and is instead something that’s sure to keep you wondering how it’s going to progress – keeping surprise after surprise flowing.
Reverting to an almost 70’s feeling of calm for the opening moments of Dream Dreams Of Spectrums, there’s a further shift in the style on offer here, showing that simplicity isn’t something that Poltergeist are even capable of considering. Building on the pace and depth of the track as it grows, the feeling transforms from that calm approach to a much more in your face, guitar led style track, using the lead line as a focal point whilst allowing the rhythms to permeate further through the mix, deepening as it progresses. Achieving the high point of the album (in my eyes) with First Signs Of The Plague, the calm and out there approach seems to fit perfectly finally, offering up a track that doesn’t push boundaries or attempt to confuse the listener, instead luring them into a calming realm where all that matters is the music and the feeling it creates. If you’re looking for an insight into what you’re in for with this record then in my opinion, this is the perfect track, showcasing what the band are capable of and standing out as holding some serious single potential.
Dawn Visits The Garden Of Evil, Psychic Warfare and The Book Of Pleasures all continue to offer up the uniquely styled approach from Poltergeist, until we eventually reach the closing moments of Lune Deeps, bringing the record to a close and leaving you satisfied at what you’re heard. The final moments here do as they should, almost summarising where you’ve come from and where you now are, and leaving you wondering if a follow up will be possible given the complexities on offer – securing the record a slot amongst the albums you must here before you die.
It’s taken me a while to work out Poltergeist, as quite simply their style is so unique, but it works. From start to finish here you’ve got a record that is going to keep you interested, keep you listening, and keep you guessing as to what’s going to happen next time – definitely one that takes a few listens to fully embrace.
To find out more about Poltergeist, check them out on Facebook HERE. And their website HERE
Words: Dave Nicholls
